Using Your Voice: A Guide for Youth on Participating in Case Planning

This Child Welfare Information Gateway factsheet (2021) provides information about how youth can engage with the child welfare system and advocate for themselves and others. It includes specific suggestions for active youth engagement and participation in case planning, including educational aspects. Youth are encouraged to set expectations and build a relationship with their caseworker, as well as collect contact information from all planning team members. Youth can ask for what they need or want to know, request options, write letters, help set meeting agendas, make their case plan personal, utilize their support network, attend court hearings, ask for legal documents, and create a transition plan. (See pages 4-6.)