Former LA foster youth advocates for change to the system.
In 2022, Junely was a delegate for National Foster Youth Institute founded by representative Karen Bass. Junely advocated at the Capitol Hill on behalf of 400,000 foster youth across the nation. She shares her story with Washington D.C Spectrum News.
From foster care to youth advocate: Teen mom shares her remarkable journey.
LOS ANGELES, CA - July 1st, 2022 - Junely was featured on Fox 11 LA News.
Motivated by her own experiences as a teen parent in foster care Junely took on the role of a fierce advocate for foster youth. Through her advocacy work, she gives a voice to those who are often unheard, shedding light on the challenges they face and advocating for essential changes in the system. She shares her work with John Burton Advocates for Youth passing important laws like NextUP funding to fund foster youth programs at all 116 community colleges in California. In addition, she shared her experience advocating at Capitol Hill and meeting mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass.
Junely's remarkable journey serves as a beacon of hope for foster youth everywhere. Her story showcases the power of resilience, determination, and a strong support system in overcoming adversities.
Junely Merwin receives 2022 Shining Light Award for exemplary advocacy efforts to prevent child abuse and to support youth in foster care.
In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, The Raise Foundation awarded Junely Merwin the Shining Light Award which was shared virtually at their 28th Annual Blue Ribbon Kickoff Event. Junely is the only person ever to receive three nominations for the award.
Student-Parents suffer from lack of childcare on college campus.
The Hechinger Report featured Parenting Student Advocate Junely Merwin.
Article: “Students parents suffer as more campus child care centers close.”
Child welfare Ideas
from the Experts
#10: Connecting Parenting Foster Youth to Resources, Child Care.
By The Imprint, John Kelly
2021 CCAI Foster Youth Internship Program® Congressional Briefing Webinar
In 2021, Junely Merwin continued to participate in the Foster Youth Internship (FYI) Program® run by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) a highly esteemed congressional internship for young adults who spent time in the foster care system. This is the first time in history CCAI invites the cohort back to be part of this prestigious opportunity. Junely and her cohort co-authored Building the Path Forward for Change in the Child Welfare System. Junely continued to advocate for pregnant and parenting youth in foster care in her federal policy report. She urged Congress to provide funding to implement a nationwide program similar to Los Angeles County Expectant Parenting Youth Program. She recommended the U.S Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to child welfare agencies on how to train staff on the needs of Pregnant and Parenting Youth (PPY), including trauma-informed care and parenting planning, and urged Congress to pass the Universal Child Care and Early Learning Act of 2021, prioritizing eligibility for PPY in foster care for subsidized child care.
Junely is grateful to work alongside CCAI and foster youth leaders in paving the way toward a better future in removing barriers, improving outcomes, and ensuring that children, youth, and families who encounter the U.S. child welfare system do not face the same obstacles that they’ve experienced.
2020 CCAI Foster Youth Internship Program® Congressional Briefing Webinar
Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Foster Youth Internship (FYI) Program functioned as the CCAI Foster Youth Intern COVID-19 Pandemic Working Group. This working group allowed the 2020 Foster Youth Interns to research, provide federal policy recommendations, and ultimately influence policymakers on ways to support foster youth and strengthen the child welfare system during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The briefing covered pertinent COVID-19 pandemic child welfare issues such as ensuring safety and stability for vulnerable children and families, technology improvements in the child welfare system, supports for foster, adoptive, and kinship families, child welfare workforce strengthening, educational and housing supports for foster youth, tribal colleges/universities higher education supports, and financial security.
CSUF Center for Internships & Community Engagement honored Junely Merwin, 2019 “Outstanding Student Leader" award.
Foster Youth Becomes Parent, Then Advocates Through New State Law. Featured in Public Counsel Stories.
September 2013, Governor Jerry Brown signs SB528 into law. Click on image for more details.
Student parents balance busy lives, strive for increased resources on campus. Featured in Daily Titan
"Student parents Shayna La Scala and Junely Merwin worked with Adult Reentry Center to create a workshop for students with children that deals with stress management and parent-child relationships."@thedailytitan.
Student parent uses poor experience in foster care to fuel motivational speaking. Featured in daily titan.
Alliance of moms- I'm a mother
Alliance of Moms is a membership-based program that supports pregnant and parenting teens in LA County's foster care system. Junely Merwin is a member and the foster youth ambassador for Alliance of Moms.