(She/Her) 4 years in care
As a former foster youth, Ivy Smith brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to her work in child welfare advocacy. Ivy graduated from Boise State University with her master’s in Public Administration and two bachelor’s degrees in Political Science with an emphasis in American Government & Public Policy, and Environmental Studies. In her role as a Senior Health Policy Coordinator at Idaho Voices for Children, she focuses on strengthening systems that support vulnerable children and families, with particular interest in how Medicaid policies can impact the child welfare system. In 2021, Ivy wrote legislation to extend foster care to the age of 21 in Idaho, and through her advocacy, the legislation passed unanimously! Building on that success, she played a key role in securing the passage of additional legislation earlier this year to further extend foster care to the age of 23, helping more young adults access the support they need during the critical transition to independence. Her work reflects a commitment to advancing practical, research-backed policies that promote stability and long-term well-being for children and youth across the state.
