The Vermont Office of the Child, Youth, and Family Advocate (OCYFA)

H. 644 is now law: Former foster youth can access their DCF and court records!

The Vermont Office of the Child, Youth, and Family Advocate (“OCYFA”) is an independent, nonpartisan office within the government of the State of Vermont. The OCYFA engages in individual and systemic advocacy on behalf of Vermont’s most vulnerable children, youth, and families, with a focus on children and youth involved in the child protection and juvenile justice systems.

The OCYFA is not part of the Vermont Department for Children and Families (“DCF”) and operates outside the chain of command of DCF, the Agency of Human Services, and the Governor.

The fundamental mission of the OCYFA is to witness the strength, passion, humor, and pain of Vermont’s most vulnerable children, youth, and families. Listening to the voices of these Vermonters is a prerequisite for authentic policy making. To magnify their experiences requires spending time with them where they are. The core reason for the existence of the OCYFA is to translate the vision of children, youth, and families into policy. 

Please contact us if you are in need of assistance or would like to discuss a policy matter.