Profile: Advocates for Children & Youth

HISTORY

Advocates for Children and Youth (ACY) was founded in 1987 by a group of prominent child advocates in Maryland who saw the need for an independent organization to advocate for the needs of the state's children and families in the community, the media and the public policy arena.

MISSION

ACY's mission has remained unchanged since its founding--to identify problems, promote policies and programs that improve results for Maryland children in measurable and meaningful ways, and evaluate the effectiveness of programs and policies for the state's children and youth.

• The agency's goals include ensuring that children have access to:
• High quality, accessible health care at an affordable cost;
• Quality educational programs that include supports necessary to learn;
• Homes, schools and communities which are safe and provide opportunities for positive development;
• Adequate economic assistance to meet basic needs; and
• Supports to achieve economic independence.

BOARD

ACY has an active and diverse Board committed to improving outcomes for Maryland’s children.

STAFF

ACY has a staff with expertise in the array of issues affecting children and the tools for advocating for improved outcomes.