Elevating Engagement

For too long, child welfare professionals have relied on traditional, adult-driven methods that prioritize efficiency and compliance over genuine connection.

Many professionals believe they are engaging children and youth authentically, yet practices often remain transactional rather than relational, limiting the potential for true collaboration and empowerment.

Authentic youth engagement means partnering with children and youth about their lives, on their terms, in ways that make sense to them. Children and youth need and deserve to be truly seen, heard, and actively included in the decisions that shape their lives particularly when it comes to permanency. It requires more than just listening—it involves clear and thoughtful communication, shared decision-making, and a focus on relationships that build trust and value youth as partners in shaping their lives.

To support this shift, five foundational messages have been developed to clarify where youth engagement has been, where it needs to go, and how professionals can make the transition using some of QIC-EY’s tools and materials.

From Passion
to Proficiency in Engagement

Transform enthusiasm into the elevated skills needed for productive and impactful relationships with children and youth.

Build on What You Bring

Pair your passion with practice: use tools to invest in strengthening competencies like listening deeply, building trust, and supporting cultural connections.

Learning with and from Children and Youth

Engagement isn’t a checklist—it’s a relationship. Create space for youth to shape how you work together, and let their feedback refine your approach.

Start with Small Shifts

Authentic engagement doesn’t require perfection—just presence. Try one new intentional practice, like slowing down a conversation to really listen or asking a youth how they prefer to be involved.

Your passion is powerful—let it fuel your skills development.

Recommended Resources

Workforce Training

Develop Key Attitudes and Knowledge Competencies for Engagement

QIC-EY Participant Tool Kit

Build Core Competencies with Guided Practice

From Going Through the Motions to
Making Moments Matter

Focus on creating intentional, impactful moments of connection, even within time constraints.

Pause with Purpose

Carve out time during visits or meetings to be fully present with youth.

Create meaningful Interactions

Celebrate milestones, share experiences, and show care beyond checklists.o be fully present with youth.

Reflect to Improve

Use brief self-assessments or journaling to understand the impact of your engagement with children and youth and grow from it.

Small, intentional moments build trust and lasting connection.

Recommended Resource

QIC-EY NOW - Be Consistently Present with Children and Youth

Real-Time Reflections & Tips from the Field

From Waiting for the Right Time to
Early and Often

Recognize the importance of engaging children and youth early and consistently, rather than waiting for the ideal moment.

Start Conversations Early

Don’t delay critical dialogue; begin with age-appropriate, consistent engagement.

Support Every Step

Meet youth where they are. Validate their emotions and experiences while offering steady guidance and age-appropriate support.

Plan Ahead with Purpose

Be proactive and prepared. Think through how and when you’ll engage, considering developmental and cultural norms. Use stories and relatable examples to support honest, open conversations.

The right time to engage is now—early, often, and honestly.

Recommended Resource

QIC-EY NOW - Ensure Children and Youth are Adequately Prepared

Real-Time Reflections & Tips from the Field

From Deciding for Youth to
Deciding With Youth

Evolve from adult-led decision-making to working with children and youth as partners, ensuring their perspectives are valued and heard.

Co-Create Plans

Directly involve children and youth in shaping their goals and decisions.

Respect Lived Expertise

Recognize and honor perspectives of children and youth as essential to quality care.

Elevate Their Voice

Establish regular opportunities for children and youth to give input, and together explore how their voices shape outcomes.

Youth are not just participants—they’re partners.

Recommended Resource

QIC-EY Activity Guide

A Go-to Resource for Bringing Authentic Engagement to Life.

While the first four messages center on strengthening relationships between professionals and children and youth, this final message elevates the role of lived experts—as essential partners in shaping the very systems and practices that define engagement.

From Guests at the Table to
Experts with Respected Voices

Move beyond symbolic participation to valuing lived expertise as essential to shaping solutions.

Develop Lasting Opportunities

Move beyond performative engagement to creating sustained, meaningful collaborations.

Lead Side-by-Side

Invited lived experts to shape strategy, guide policy and practice, and advise on programming.

Create Shared Spaces

Foster environments where professionals and live experts work together.

Lived experience is expertise—working together is always better.

Recommended Resource

Lessons Learned #5 Authentically Engaging with People With Lived Experience

Wisdom from the Work—Captured and Shared