Deadline: November 1, 2026
Applications are open for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) Foster Youth Internship Program 2027. The CCAI Foster Youth Internship (FYI) Program is a competitive national internship for students and recent graduates with lived experience in foster care who are interested in federal policy and advocacy. Participants write a federal child welfare policy report and are placed in the Washington, D.C. legislative offices of Members of the U.S. Congress.
The Foster Youth Internship (FYI) Program began in 2003 as an effort to raise awareness to federal policymakers about the needs and unique perspectives of individuals who have experienced the U.S. foster care system. CCAI works with congressional offices to secure a congressional internship for each participant. In addition, CCAI organizes an orientation, advocacy trainings, networking, and various other professional development opportunities. These combined experiences allow the participants to create a policy report that is presented to U.S. Congress, Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, and released to policymakers and advocates across the country.
As a result of the program, federal policymakers learn firsthand the experiences of youth in foster care and go on to use their new knowledge to inspire legislative change to federal child welfare policy. Participants benefit both personally and professionally, gaining experience and skills that will bolster their careers for years to come.
Benefits
- CCAI provides a monthly stipend during the remote preparatory onboarding (February 1 – May 28) and weekly stipend while in Washington, D.C. (May 31 – July 23), and covers major expenses, such as housing in Washington, D.C., transportation to/from Washington, D.C., and public transportation to/from the congressional office internship. Participants are responsible for some smaller expenses. Interns are required to live in dormitory-style housing assigned by CCAI for the duration of the program and to adhere to the guidance and regulations of the program.
Eligibility
- Open to students and recent graduates with lived experience in foster care who are interested in federal policy and advocacy.
- The candidate MUST be available for the entirety of the program to qualify.
Application
The 2027 Foster Youth Internship Program (FYI) application consists of two parts. Part one (1) of the application is available via online form and will be accepted until November 1, 2026.
For more information, visit CCAI Foster Youth Internship.
