AMP’s History

In 2005 a group of foster parents decided there needed to be more support for the youth within Iowa’s Child Welfare System, which lead to the creation of a group at Children and Families of Iowa called Elevate. What began as a small group for foster/adoptive teens, grew into a youth council with the help of a small grant from Polk County DECAT. These teens identified they did not have a voice in their child welfare cases; adults controlled their present situation and their future. Realizing they were stronger together, the youth designed a program that was youth driven and adult supported which lead to improvements in foster care and adoptions from a “youth perspective”.

In 2007 the Department of Human Services (DHS) became the contract holder of what was known as Elevate. Because we were made a program of DHS, we also qualified as Iowa’s Foster Care Youth Council, it is a federal mandate for every state to have a council.

In 2011 Youth & Shelter Services(YSS) won the bid to become the lead sub-contracting agency for the Iowa Foster Care Youth Council. Upon this transition, is when the name changed from Elevate to AMP.

Today AMP cover’s the entire state of Iowa while having 9 public and 1 private council.

AMP’s Motto

“Nothing about us, with out us”

AMP’s Vision Statement

Iowa is a state where youth are embraced, supported and valued by their community and become healthy citizens.

AMP’s Mission Statement

Amp gives youth a voice.

AMP assists young people become advocates for themselves and gives them a voice to impact child welfare policies and practices. Through supportive, productive partnerships with adults, youth speak out to make foster care more responsive and effective.

Members of AMP also encourage families to open their homes to teens in foster care, or to adopt. AMP youth educate legislators, child welfare professionals, juvenile court representatives, foster parents and the public about foster care and adoption from a youth perspective.

AMP Goals & Objectives
AMP is a youth-driven, statewide group that seeks to unleash the full potential for personal growth among foster, adoptive and kinship children in Iowa. AMP offers leadership opportunities, service learning projects, speaking opportunities, and educational/ vocational assistance.  AMP also provides the life skills youth need to become self-sufficient, independent adults.

What kinds of things do youth learn at AMP?

The possibilities are endless but here a few….

• Cooking (easy, low cost meals and snacks)

• Banking (how to open checking/saving accounts plus credit card management)

• Healthy relationships (friends, family & significant others)

• How to rent an apartment

• Prepare for a job interview

• Apply for college student aid & scholarships

• Speaker training (learn to speak in public and tell your story)

• Teamwork skills

• Study skills

• Preparing your taxes

• Living in a budget

• Purchasing a used car

• Insurance

 Is AMP just learning or are there fun things too?

AMP is all about learning in a fun way!  We like to celebrate holidays, birthdays, graduations and go to camp!  Each AMP council participates in local events to introduce youth to resources in their local community. AMP has an annual state conference called Plugged In & Charging where we learn life skills needed for transition to adulthood.  We also do mini conferences at community colleges across Iowa to experience life at community college, sleep in the dorms, take college classes and eat at food service!  AMP youth enjoy summer camp for one week each year and mini-camps which consist of spending a Saturday of fun with AMP members from all over Iowa!  The most fun is making life-long friends and chatting on Facebook!

How do I get involved?

Decide to attend an AMP council meeting and come!  We have an application you can fill out at your first meeting; it asks what you like to do.  AMP is designed to be very flexible!  We understand that teenage life is busy; so if you work or do sports, it may be hard to attend council meetings.  You are welcome to attend meetings and events whenever your schedule permits!  If you’re super busy, be a part of the AMP Facebook and stay connected through the AMP website.  Meetings and events are posted to both so you can plan when to attend!

Give AMP a chance!

We know that attending a group for the first time can be awkward…..

But I promise you that AMP teens, facilitators and volunteers are very welcoming and will make you feel comfortable right away!  There is no judgement made, everyone is struggling with something and we are here to help you get through it!  So take that first step and join us today!

What do AMP youth do?

• Train to become advocates for themselves and others.

• Participate in valuable leadership opportunities.

• Develop their voices by telling their own stories.

• Educate legislators, foster parents, the public, child welfare professionals and juvenile court representatives about foster care and adoption from the youth perspective.

• Build youth/adult partnerships in the community that create opportunities for service learning.

• Encourage others to open their homes to teens in foster care or those available for adoption.

• Provide understanding, support, and encouragement to one another.

• Gain the life skills necessary to become healthy, independent adults.

• Explore educational/vocational options to chart their path to become successful productive adults.