National Policy Council New Release on Foster Youth Mental Health
Download Strategies for Implementation now!
Building on previous work, the National Foster Care Youth & Alumni Policy Council has released a new resource: Strategies for Implementation from Beyond Therapy: Redefining Mental Health Support in Foster Care. This guide offers practical ways for states and communities to strengthen mental-health support for youth in foster care. It brings together insights from Council members and other young people with foster care experience, presenting them as clear strategies for child welfare systems. Whether you are a frontline worker, agency leader, policymaker, or caregiver, the guide outlines approaches that can improve mental-health outcomes for foster youth.
It’s clear, grounded in youth perspective, and ready to be put into practice. Download Strategies for Implementation today and take the next step toward transforming how mental health is supported in foster care.
On September 30, 2025, the National Foster Youth & Alumni Policy Council hosted a roundtable to confront one of the system’s most urgent issues: foster youth mental health. Young people in foster care face serious mental health challenges and significant hurdles in accessing care. The recommendations and strategies Council members presented at this roundtable were powerful, practical, and driven by the lived expertise of youth who know the stakes firsthand.