elevate
Voices of Hope

elevate welcomes requests for various speaking engagements, providing audiences with the chance to hear inside perspectives from system-involved youth. Children & Families of Iowa has also created a series of DVDs to help youth tell their stories. Stories of Hope shares the personal stories of several system-involved youth. It not only speaks directly to other youth or foster/adoptive parents, but also to the general public.  It will pull at the heartstrings of all who watch it. Insights offers perspectives from legal advocate and the youth they represent with regards to the legal process involved in the child welfare system. In Seeds of Hope, system-involved youth share their experiences that they have had throughout their education.  Advice is offered to teachers with how to handle foster/adoptive situations in the classroom. To request a speaker or to hear more about youth voices, contact us today! Ruth Phillips ph: 515-971-1864 e-mail: RuthP@cfiowa.org

elevate is the result of a unique collaboration between CFI, the Iowa Department of Human Services, and the Iowa Legislature. Originally formed in 2005 with Iowa Department of Human Services adoption incentive monies, elevate was developed as a vehicle for youth advocacy and to enhance recruitment of more foster homes for teens. As the group grew and more teens became involved, it was apparent that there was a need for an active voice for foster/adoptive children. elevate became this voice, and it has since become a force of change and education in Iowa’s Child Welfare system.