Conferences

Our two interlinked annual conferences, the Summer Leadership and Policy Conference and the Day at the Capitol Conference, provide dynamic forums for putting into action our dual goals of empowering youth and improving foster care. At summer conference, members explore solutions to issues identified by the chapters and selected by the CYC Youth Board, and propose a set of policy recommendations. About six months later, CYC members travel to Sacramento for Day at the Capitol, when they meet with legislators, urging them to support our sponsored bills. 

Pivotal to the fulfillment of our mission, CYC’s
 Day at the Capitol conference has resulted in
 the eventual passage of dozens of new laws and policies that have profoundly improved the lives
 of children and youth who experience foster care.

CYC’s Summer Leadership and Policy Conference was held at CSU Bakersfield July 26–29, 2019.

19SLPC PHOTO GALLERY

DAY AT THE CAPITOL 2019

CYC’s Day at the Capitol Conference was held at the Holiday Inn Downtown Arena in Sacramento on February 9-11, 2019. Over 100 members attended the Day at the Capitol on February 9-11. Members attended workshops on Public Speaking, Strategic Storytelling, Legislative Bill Lifecycle, and the FosterStability 2.0 campaign. In addition, several Supporters attended workshops on Strategic Storytelling, Fundraising Fundamentals, Local Issue Tools (Root Cause Analysis and Goal Setting).

Summer Leadership and Policy Conference 2018

CYC’s Summer Leadership and Policy Conference 2018, held at Sonoma State University, was AMAZING.

Thanks to the generous support of the Reissa Foundation more young people than ever before were able to attend!

Our #FosterStability Campaign continued to strengthen and develop at the conference, with chapters developing excellent local strategies for Systems Improvement Plans (SIPs) to take back to their counties.

We also explored intersectionality, looking at our community beyond the definition of “foster youth.” Recognizing that we all bring complexities to our advocacy, being able to build community around our whole authentic selves is a beautiful gift.

Members, staff, volunteers, and supporters declared “WE SEE YOU” throughout the conference. The #FosterStability campaign is all about seeing young people as individuals with individual needs but most importantly it is about honoring the need for stable connections. Big love and thanks to everyone who came out to hear CYC Talks on the last day of our conference!