The Mockingbird Society

The Mockingbird Society is an advocacy organization that works with young people and families to improve foster care and end youth homelessness. Our youth programs train young people who have been homeless or in foster care to be their own best advocates. By doing so, they change policies and perceptions that stand in the way of every child having a safe, stable home, and a healthy family. Our family programs advocate for innovation in foster care delivery. Together, our solutions focus on improving the social service systems that ultimately serve thousands of children, youth and families each year in Washington and beyond. For more information, please visit www.mockingbirdsociety.org.

No one knows better what needs to be changed than those who have experienced it. Our Youth Programs, the Mockingbird Youth Network (MYN) and Youth Advocates Ending Homelessness (YAEH), bring together young people who have experienced foster care or homelessness first-hand to share their stories and ideas for reform so tomorrow's youth will not have to face the same challenges. The MYN is a statewide coalition with six Chapters in Seattle, Everett, Tacoma, Olympia, Yakima, and Spokane. YAEH focuses on advocating for homeless youth programs and services in King County. The Mockingbird Family Model is an innovative foster care delivery model that improves upon the traditional foster care experience. The MFM unites six to ten foster/kinship families living in close proximity to a central, experienced foster family that provides support to the entire group. Our Public Policy program works closely with the MYN and YAEH to educate policymakers, service providers, and our community on issues facing youth impacted by foster care or homelessness. To date, we have advocated for more than 25 reforms to improve child welfare in Washington and our efforts have received national accolades.