The Youth Council helps to transform DCF practice and programs and empower youth to take action and make decisions on critical issues. Youth Council Members have accomplished real change: they wrote the Sibling Bill of Rights that was signed into law by Governor Murphy; they co-designed the peer mentoring program called EnlightenMENT and they’ve re-designed this NJYRS website, just to name a few.  Be a part of the Council and help determine what they do next!

Youth Council Members are compensated for their time, research, and expertise. Currently the council meets monthly from 5-7pm on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. The council has small workgroups called subcommittees that meet on a weekly or bi-weekly basis depending on the workload to create real change across the Department. Council members also have an opportunity to speak at conferences and webinars.  Nervous about speaking? Don’t worry! The Office of Family Voice works with every youth council

Young people between the ages of 15-23 who are currently, or have been, involved with DCP&P (formerly known as DYFS), CSOC (also known as CMO or Perform Care), and/or OOE (DCF Regional Schools), and who want to create change.