To be successful, youth must be taught necessary skills and have opportunities to practice them in real life situations. When given this, their self-esteem will grow increasing the likelihood that they will make mature decisions as they emerge as adults. Our Tips 'N’ Tricks Toolbox underscores the needs and importance of personal growth and skills building and are designed to offer youth information about issues of interest to them. Our Youth Leadership Board selects the workshops that are then either facilitated by peers or youth friendly adults.

Our toolbox covers both specific foster care issues and general youth issues. Seven-core toolboxes are offered to help youth in care navigate the foster care system. Other toolbox topics can range from a discussion on style, etiquette, and teen dating, to violence or parenting.

Our Core Trainings are as follow:

Foster Care 101

This four-hour workshop serves as an orientation to the child welfare system. It is designed to educate youth about how the system works, critical events, who’s who and the roles they play, as well as how the system impact their lives. The goal is to provide young people with the information they need to enable them to take an active role in their case.

Know your Rights or Lose it!

This two-hour workshop provide critical information to enable youth to live successfully in the child welfare system. The goal is to provide young people with the information they need to advocate for themselves and accessing services they are entitled to.

Service Plan Review 101

This two-hour workshop provides youth with basic information about a Service Plan Review and prepares them to take an active role in this very important meeting. The focus of the workshop is on the importance of each youth taking ownership of the plan for their lives.

Surviving Foster Care

This two- hour workshop provides some tools, tips and tricks to surviving foster care. It was developed by youth who have been through the system and provides ideas and resources to help youth meet the day-to-day challenge of living in foster care.

Handlin’ Yo’ Business

This two-hour workshop is designed to help youth set personal goals and work towards them. It helps them reflect on their goals and make necessary changes as the need arises. A critical element of the workshop is the importance of building a personal web of support and a personal growth plan.

A trip up the employment ladder (2-part)

This four-hour workshop is delivered in two parts and discusses critical information connected to employment; including the difference between a job and a career, how to prepare a resume and cover letter, where to find and how to use existing job placement services. Youth develop a professional goal plan that includes how they plan to keep a job once they are hired. By the end of the two session youth will have a finished professional resume.

Good bye and good luck-Aging out of foster Care (2-part)

This four-hour workshop is delivered in two parts and focuses on the mixed emotions, fears and anxieties connected to aging out of foster care. Youth will learn about putting plans in place for their transition from foster care into a new phase of their lives. This workshop provides tips and tricks to making a successful transition.

Voices of Youth can design training to meet
the specific needs of the agency. 

To order training, please contact
our office at 718-402-5303