Foster Youth Internship Program®

CCAI’s Foster Youth Internship Program® is a congressional internship for young adults who spent their formative years in the U.S. foster care system. The Foster Youth Internship Program® provides Members of Congress and federal policymakers firsthand accounts from youth who share about the real-life challenges children face in foster care to inform and inspire legislative and policy action. 

Throughout the summer, the interns spend time researching policy issues affecting foster children across the country. The Foster Youth Internship Program® mentors these young adults in how best to bring their individual perspectives and resilient spirits to bear as advocates for the needs of other foster youth. These experiences allow the interns to create a federal legislative policy report that is presented at briefings to Congress and the White House, as well as released to child welfare advocates across the country. Through the generosity of the Foster Youth Internship Program® Sponsors Circle, CCAI covers the cost of each intern’s travel, housing and general living expenses and provides professional trainings and networking opportunities.

To learn more about how to engage in the Foster Youth Internship Program® contact CCAI's Programs Coordinator, Sara Schleicher, at sara@ccainstitute.org.