Jay and the Hamilton County Youth Advisory Board

Jay Brown is a former Hamilton County foster youth who is working behind the scenes to reignite and reinvigorate the Hamilton County Youth Advisory Board. 

Participation in a Youth Advisory Board:

• Helps young people in and from foster care develop leadership, professional, organizational and public speaking skills
  
  
• Provides them with peer support and opportunities to share their experiences in a strategic way to positively influences policies and practices that directly affect them

By being a part of the Hamilton County Youth Advisory Board, youth will become Resource Ambassadors to help other young people know where to turn when they need help and assistance. 

More than anything else, being a part of a Youth Advisory Board reminds young people of their strengths and capabilities. They are not victims of their experiences, but survivors and difference-makers who can help to smooth the path for young people who come after them.

Jay is currently seeking to identify staff members at public and private foster care agencies with whom she can communicate with about leadership opportunities for current and former foster youth (ages 14-24). She’s building up a directory of names, emails and phone numbers so that these staff members can let their youth know about YAB involvement and ongoing opportunities.