Check for Us: National Outreach Campaign

Population

500,000+ former foster youth ages 18-26

Why?

Ensuring that former foster youth have access to the COVID-19 relief funds designated for them.

The Challenge

Congress released over $400M in emergency funds directly for current and former foster youth in response to the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the resources exist, most states have no contact with foster youth who are no longer officially in the system. No national, and in most cases, state-wide database of foster youth exists. The program timeframe was extremely short (March-September 2021) and child welfare systems were already overwhelmed by the effects of the pandemic. States did not have the infrastructure or staffing to market, process applications, and rapidly disperse funding for the program.

The Action

Think of Us launched Check for Us, a national outreach campaign to find and connect as many former foster youth as possible with their state to apply for funding. This unprecedented initiative demonstrated a new approach to streamlining government support.

Stats

Connected 30,000+ current and former foster youth to their state
Provided technical assistance to 44 states and Washington D.C.
$400 million available
500,000+ potentially eligible young people

The Results

Built a custom application portal used by 24 states, leveraging technology to reduce inefficiency
Published an implementation report with the Youth Law Center that directly informed White House + Congressional strategy based on direct feedback from 30 states
Hosted a National Town Hall to hear from young people about their experiences and barriers to receiving pandemic relief payments
First ever national outreach campaign focused on former foster youth
30 states joined the Community of Practice to receive support in finding and connecting with eligible young people (including marketing and social media assets designed by individuals lived experience in partnership with Think of Us)
Partnered with 200+ youth-serving and BIPOC organizations and former foster youth

Centering Lived Experience RTE

Lived Experience Advisors - official team to design campaign
Lived Experience Ambassadors - social media ambassadors
Lived Experience Advisors and Ambassadors were compensated financially for their work

Key Stakeholder Details

State child welfare agencies, US Children’s Bureau, Youth-Serving Organizations, Young people under age 26
• Jamira Burley - Senior Fellow, Campaign Leadership
• Revolve Impact
• Implematix
• Youth Law Center - Co-author, implementation report ‍