Advocates for Young Adults (AYA)
Created in 2001, the primary goal of the Advocates for Young Adults (AYA) program is to provide legal and independent living support services referrals to current and former foster youth, beyond the scope of juvenile dependency. AYA strives to ensure that foster youth make a successful transition from dependency into adulthood, ensuring “self-sufficiency”. AYA is part of the Great Start Collaborative, created to help youth be
successful as they enter adulthood. Currently, there is no direct funding for AYA staff and the duties and responsibilities of the AYA program are met through the volunteer efforts of SCA attorneys and YASW’s. SCA staff work with Great Start Youth Specialists located at the One Stop Centers throughout Sacramento, and with the Independent Living Program (ILP). AYA takes referrals from social workers, attorneys, and any other agencies that work with youth.

Youth Advocate Panel
In 2005, SCA augmented the AYA program and began utilizing volunteer former foster youth as advisors to SCA on how best to serve our clients. This was formalized into our Youth Advocate Panel (YAP). The input of former foster youth has been so insightful that it merits expansion and compensation.  The YAP has benefited SCA by providing insight into the life of a foster child. For instance, after consulting the panel, it was determined that SCA social workers should carry a new title. The consensus among the panel members was that the title ‘social worker’ could carry negative connotations with many foster youth. It often times conjures up images of the county social worker who took them away from their parents.
Social workers are also often blamed for the delay or denial of services, as well as placements changes. Therefore, in August of 2005, SCA changed our social worker title to Youth Advocate Social Worker. This title better identifies SCA Youth Advocate role while recognizing the professional social worker training they have received. Click here to find out more about YAP.

For more information about SCA please call 916-364-5686.