Announcement from the FYA Board of Directors:

Amy Freeman to Leave FYA After 6 Years of Outstanding Service

The board of The Alameda County Foster Youth Alliance (FYA) would like to acknowledge the exemplary service of Amy Freeman, the organization's Executive Director. For the past six years, Amy has been a highly effective and dedicated leader. She has succeeded in greatly expanding FYA’s membership and scope of work, thereby effecting positive change for transitioning foster youth in Alameda County and the state of California.

Amy has accepted a new position as Programs and Initiatives Manager in Child Welfare with the Stuart Foundation, effective February 28, 2007. In this role, Amy will continue to work on behalf of the needs of foster children and youth and improving outcomes in Child Welfare. Although we are sad to see Amy transition to a new organization, we are excited about the work she will be taking on, and our continued partnership in her new role. Amy's last day at FYA will be February 16, 2007.

Please save the date of Thursday, February 8th, from 6 to 8 p.m. when we will gather to celebrate Amy and her many accomplishments at FYA, and to wish her well in her new endeavors. Location TBA. For more information or to RSVP, contact Melinda Clemmons at 510-428-9821 or mclemmons@acfya.org.

The FYA Board of Directors will soon begin the search for a new Executive Director. The job announcement will be released early next week and will be posted on the FYA website at www.fosteryouthalliance.org.

FYA Professional Development Trainings

The next FYA Professional Development Training will be held Tuesday, February 13th, from 9:30 to 12:30 at the ILSP Office located at 2647 International Blvd., Suite 312 in Oakland. The topic will be Youth Safety: Preventing Self-Injurious Behaviors.

This training is a joint project of FYA, Seneca Center, and the Chabot FKCE.

Calworks Training on February 28th

By popular demand, FYA has added a training to the current series. On Wednesday, February 28th, Lorena Briseno of the Alameda County Social Service Agency will provide a training on Calworks Eligibility and Benefits Clarification. Time of the training and other details will be announced in next week's bulletin.

To RSVP for these trainings or for more information, contact Melinda Clemmons at 410-428-9821 or email mclemmons@acfya.org.

The Educational/Vocational Specialist provides targeted educational and vocational support and intensive job retention services to former foster youth in the THP+ Program of First Place Fund for Youth. The specialist will work collaboratively with each client’s assigned case manager to support and ensure appropriate progress towards client goals. This position will broker services with employers, local colleges and vocational schools to promote the educational attainment and career development of youth. This position also works closely with the Emancipation Training Center Education/Vocational Specialist to bring about a comprehensive and supportive educational and vocational program for First Place.

Click here for the complete job announcement.

RFP for Housing California 2007 Conference

Housing California 2007 Building Homes, Building Hope, will be held April 23 - April 25, at the Sacramento Convention Center in Sacramento, CA.

This Annual Conference is the largest and most comprehensive forum on affordable housing in America. Each spring, more than 1,500 consumers and developers, business leaders and advocates, government officials and service providers converge on Sacramento for cutting-edge training, engaging and enlightening speakers, and networking.

Click here to be directed to their website for more information.