Invitation to Nominate Youth Delegates for the North and South America Youth Summit on Transitions in Foster Care

Subject: Invitation to Nominate Youth Delegates for the North and South America Youth Summit on Transitions in Foster Care

Dear [Supporter’s Name or Organization],

We hope you are doing well. We would like to invite you to nominate 3 youth delegates to represent [Country] to present and participate in the upcoming North and South America Foster Care Summit, a four-day international gathering designed by and for young people with lived experience in out-of-home care.

The Summit will take place virtually over two weekends: May 16–17 and May 23–24, 2026 and will center on youth-driven conversations around key transitional moments within the foster care and out-of-home care systems—from entering care to exiting, and from youth-adult partnerships to youth leadership. This event is coordinated by the International Foster Care Alliance (IFCA) and supported by regional collaborators across the Americas.

We are seeking nominations of young leaders aged 18–35 who have:

Delegate participation will be limited to 25 individuals, with representation from the United States, U.S. Territories, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. We aim to elevate diverse voices and ensure broad representation, including Indigenous and Afro-descendant youth. This Summit will include English, Spanish, and Portuguese translation.

The Summit Agenda will include:

We invite you to identify and support a potential delegate by May 30, 2025. More details about the nomination process are attached. Delegates will be confirmed by July 15, 2025 and planning meetings will begin starting in August.

Your support in connecting youth to this opportunity is vital to amplifying their voices and creating lasting change in the foster care and child welfare landscape.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@ifcaseattle.org with any questions or to begin the nomination process.

With gratitude,

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SECTION 1: Nominator Information

            1.         Full Name:

            2.         Organization/Agency (if applicable):

            3.         Role/Title:

            4.         Email Address:

            5.         Phone Number:

            6.         Relationship to Nominee:

            7.         How long have you known the nominee and in what capacity?

SECTION 2: Nominee Information

            1.         Full Name:

            2.         Date of Birth (Must be between 18–35 years old):

            3.         Country/Territory of Residence:

            4.         Region:

            •           United States

            •           U.S. Territories

            •           Canada

            •           Mexico

            •           Caribbean

            •           South America

            5.         Email Address:

            6.         Phone Number (if available):

            7.         Preferred Language(s):

            8.         Is the nominee aware they are being nominated?

            •           Yes

            •           No

            •           Planning to inform them

SECTION 3: Nominee Qualifications

Please provide a brief summary (3–5 sentences each) or attach a recommendation letter if preferred.

            1.         Describe the nominee’s lived experience with out-of-home care (e.g., foster care, orphanage, institutions):

            2.         Describe the nominee’s knowledge or experience navigating child welfare or out-of-home care systems:

            3.         Describe how the nominee has demonstrated leadership or advocacy skills (e.g., peer mentorship, public speaking, organizing, policy work):

            4.         Please share the nominee’s proposed topic for a workshop presentation related to one of the following themes:

            •           Transition into foster care

            •           Transition out of foster care

            •           Transition to independent living/adulthood

            •           Transition from youth-adult partnerships to youth leadership

(Include a working title or a brief description of what they’d like to share or explore.)

SECTION 4: Additional Information

            1.         Is there anything else we should know about the nominee’s needs or strengths (e.g., accessibility, technology, translation, wellness support)?

            2.         Would you be willing to support the nominee through the Summit process if selected (e.g., prep sessions, communication support)?

            •           Yes

            •           No

            •           Maybe / Let’s Discuss

­­__________________________________                            _______________________________

Miguel Almodovar, IFCA Board President                          Miho Awazu, IFCA Executive Director