In this week’s episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer talks with Angelique Salizan, Policy Director of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI), and with their summer Interns, all who are or have been in foster care: Stormy Lukasavage, Christina Parker & Ryan Young. CCAI hosts its annual Foster Youth Internship ® Program every summer- where young adults who have spent time in foster care come to DC and work on a policy recommendation for nine weeks.

Angelique Salizan, Policy Director (she/her/hers)

 Angelique’s work in child welfare advocacy, policy, and reform dates back to 2013 when she participated in a New York State campaign advocating for support services for foster youth pursuing higher education with the Children’s Aid Society, a program that is still in existence today. Her advocacy efforts related to foster youth having access to education and workforce opportunities led to an internship and career working for the United States Senate as a congressional staff member.

Stormy Lukasavage, (he/him/his)

Stormy Lukasavage (he/him/his) is an established professional advocate from Topeka, Kansas who has experience working with FosterClub, National Association of Counsel for Children, National Foster Youth Institute, and the Children’s Bureau in the Administration on Children, Youth and Families of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In 2019, Stormy graduated with his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in acting, the latter he studied in London.

Christina Parker, (ze/zir/zis)

Christina Parker (ze/zir/zis) is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan School of Social Work where ze received a master’s degree with a concentration in political science in April 2022. Christina has been in service for over a decade to diverse communities who experienced the foster care system, juvenile justice system, and houselessness. Christina’s advocacy and passion for system change started with California Youth Connection (CYC), a foster youth-led organization that empowers communities to use policy, legislation, and advocacy to progress system change.

Ryan Young, (he/him/his)

Ryan Young (he/him/his) is a child welfare advocate, consultant, and author with lived experiences from Arizona's foster care system and as an adoptee from his birth country of Ukraine. Ryan has devoted himself to public service, advocacy, and consultation in reforming the child welfare system through local, state, and national efforts. Ryan is the current President of the Arizona Department of Child Safety's (DCS) Youth Empowerment Council.

You can find out more about Harvey by visiting:

Website: https://www.ccainstitute.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theccai

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cca_institute/?hl=en

Twitter :https://twitter.com/ccainstitute?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CCAINSTITUTE

Learn more at https://www.comfortcases.org/

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