In recognition of five years of the Thriving Families, Safer Children initiative, this episode highlights the power of youth and adult partnership. Valerie sits down with Alayna Leonard, a youth advocate and former member of Indiana’s Commission for Improving the Status of Children, and Sam Garman, a national youth engagement consultant with Cetera. Together, they share the story of how authentic, sustained engagement through the TFSC Youth Learning Action Network led to real policy change, culminating in a new law in Indiana that requires youth to be included in public policy decision-making.

What began as a cohort focused on relationship-building evolved into a movement, with adult allies becoming champions for youth leadership across systems. This conversation lifts up the core TFSC principle of partnering with people with lived experience and shows what’s possible when we truly support, not just involve, young people.

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Here are some additional resources Alayna and Sam would like to share with you. 

• CitizenPortal.ai - Indiana Commission strengthens youth engagement with House Bill 1098
• CISC: Youth, Family, and Caregiver Engagement

We appreciate you spreading awareness by sharing this episode with your friends, family, and colleagues who care about family well-being.

Please email us if you want to connect with the creative team or find out how to engage with the family well-being movement. [email protected]