NY A06362

Establishes the Youth in Progress Statewide Advisory Board comprising youth age 14 and older who are or have been in foster care to discuss common experiences, ideas, and concerns.

Creates regional Youth in Progress teams across the six Office of Children and Family Services regions, with each youth team member assigned an adult mentor who meet regularly and conduct periodic regional forums.

Statewide advisory board shall have up to 28 youth participants (up to 4 from each regional team plus 4 from the Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth) and must meet at least three times per year.

Requires the Office of Children and Family Services to submit proposed foster care regulations to the advisory board at least 60 days before final approval, allowing the board 60 days to provide recommendations.

Board may issue an annual report with recommendations and activities, which shall be submitted to the Governor, Legislature, and Council on Children and Families without revision or editing by the Office of Children and Family Services.