Jocelyn Roni Fetting
She/Her
9 Years in Care
Jocelyn Roni Fetting is a Master of Social Work student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She spent 8½ years in the Illinois foster care system, navigating multiple placements and the Transitional Living Program, before aging out at 21. As the oldest of four siblings, Jocelyn often stepped into caregiving roles, shaping her dedication to supporting youth in care.
Jocelyn has been deeply involved in advocacy, serving as Illinois Department of Children and Families Statewide Youth Advisory Board Intern and mentoring students through the Youth in Care College Advocate Program. She has testified in support of key legislation, including the Hair Care Bill (HB 5097) and the STAR Hearings Bill, and was recognized with a Community Hero Award in 2024. She is an alum of the Foster Progress Mentorship and Traverse Programs and has organized initiatives like toy drives for local DCFS offices.
Her leadership extends to education and community engagement, balancing internships and legislative advocacy with international travel, academic achievement, and support for peers in foster care. Jocelyn plans to complete her MSW in December 2025 and pursue a career improving systems for youth in care, combining her lived experience, legal insight, and passion for social work to create lasting change.
