The Roadmap Towards Healing

You overcame the obstacle- and it wasn’t easy. Now, it’s time to heal and recover from the pain. The journey towards healing looks different for everyone. In this session explore faith and spirituality as a path towards healing. Discover what healing means to you and how to utilize community resources to support you along the way.

Crash Course in CPTSD: Knowledge is Power

When you know better, you do better. Join this brief lesson on Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s). In this session you will examine how to utilize your executive function skills to manage your diagnosis in a realistic and healthy way.

Turning Trauma into Triumph

Chasing your dreams when the odds are stacked against you can be daunting and lonely. Just know, you are not alone and it does get better. In this session you will learn strategies on how you can turn your lived experience into equitable skills that empower you to accomplish your dreams.

Put Your Dreams in Front of You

We all aspire to be a better version of ourselves so why not map it out in front of you. Come get artsy as you create mini vision boards or dream jars to capture your vision of success right in front of you.

Unspoken Dreams Poetry Jam

Self expression through spoken word is powerful. It can move you from contemplation to action. In this session, you’ll explore the structure of a poem and engage in a writing prompt about dreams.

Defending Your Dreams by Rowan Grae

Negative thoughts and self-talk can be exhausting on one’s mental and physical health. In this session unearth the mental fortitude and discipline it takes to practice martial arts & how this connects to accomplishing your dreams. 

Fostering The Success To Your Dreams with Older Foster Youth

There are so many older youth services right at your fingertips. But it is so hard to know which ones will fit your needs. In this session come hear from a panel of young people who have accessed programs across the state to reach their personal and professional goals.

Careers in Child Welfare

Do you want to use your lived experience to change the system from the inside? To be a profession in the child welfare field where you will oversee and support the wellbeing of children? Does being a case manager or a supervised visitation specialist sound appealing to you? If so, this is the breakout for you. In this session you will learn from fellow peers with lived experience the journey they took to have successful careers in the child welfare field. 

Family, Finance, and Future: Fearlessly Embracing Life

Never let your past define who you are or your future. Fearlessly embracing life is how one stays mindful of goals, pitfalls and the pivots needed to navigate the world. In this session examine a variety of strategies to keep in your toolbox as you move forward with creating the life you always dreamed of. 

Stay tuned for more details! 

Alexandria Ware is a foster care alumni, National Youth in Transition Database Reviewer, Founder of Culture Creations Inc., and Co-Founder of Diaries of a Black Girl in Foster Care.

She graduated from Kansas State University with a Family Studies and Human Services Bachelor.

We have a tradition of recognizing youth leaders and adult supporters at our Annual Youth Conference, and this year is no different!

The Awards Committee will review the nominations starting in May, so be sure to have your nomination completed by April 30th! One recipient will be selected for each award. Award winners will be announced at the conference on June 13, 2024.

The Indiana Youth Advisory Board is proud to invite young people transitioning out of foster care across Indiana to IYAB’s Annual Youth Conference! This conference is an event designed by IYAB members that provides resources, education, and tools to young people (age 14-22). We are glad to extend an invitation to all adults supporting those youth to join this event.

THIS YEAR WE ENCOURAGE ATTENDEES TO DREAM BIG ABOUT THEIR FUTURES!

WHEN: June 13, 2024 @ 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST

WHERE: Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 East 21st St. Indianapolis, IN 46219