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Foster Youth Internship Program®

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Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) Foster Youth Internship (FYI) Program® is a competitive national internship for students and recent graduates with lived experience in foster care who are interested in federal policy and advocacy. Participants write a federal child welfare policy report and are placed in the Washington, D.C. legislative offices of Members of the U.S. Congress.

Applications for the 2025 Foster Youth Internship Program® are NOW OPEN through November 1

Check out the 2025 CCAI Foster Youth Internship Application Instructions to learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, and application details.

About the Program

The Foster Youth Internship (FYI) Program® began in 2003 as an effort to raise awareness to federal policymakers about the needs and unique perspectives of individuals who have experienced the U.S. foster care system. CCAI works with congressional offices to secure a congressional internship for each participant. In addition, CCAI organizes an orientation, advocacy trainings, networking, and various other professional development opportunities. These combined experiences allow the participants to create a policy report that is presented to U.S. Congress, Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, and released to policymakers and advocates across the country. As a result of the program, federal policymakers learn firsthand the experiences of youth in foster care and go on to use their new knowledge to inspire legislative change to federal child welfare policy. Participants benefit both personally and professionally, gaining experience and skills that will bolster their careers for years to come.

This is an immersive seven-week, educational, and civic experience in Washington, D.C. with a comprehensive onboarding to ensure participants are well-prepared for effective advocacy and leadership development in the nation’s capital. Participants are not considered employees of CCAI nor their congressional office. CCAI provides a monthly stipend during the remote preparatory onboarding (February 24 - May 23) and weekly stipend while in Washington, D.C. (May 27 - July 11), and covers major expenses, such as housing in Washington, D.C., transportation to/from Washington, D.C., and public transportation to/from the congressional office internship. Participants are responsible for some smaller expenses. Interns are required to live in dormitory-style housing assigned by CCAI for the duration of the program and to adhere to the guidance of their FYI Mentor, an alumnus/alumna of the FYI Program.

Interested Applicants

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to fully read 2025 CCAI Foster Youth Internship Application Instructions before working on their application. Before applying, please confirm you meet all of the eligibility requirements. It is also recommended applicants write their responses in a separate document - to revise, revisit, and edit - before logging on to complete and submit the online application. If you have questions after carefully reviewing this document and the information available on CCAI’s website, please contact Lisette DuFore Benz at [email protected].