CAYEN (pronounced like cayenne pepper!)
The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) was formed to develop, improve, and strengthen the voice of Transition Age Youth (TAY) in local and state-level policy.
We have a twenty member all-TAY statewide Steering Committee which is involved in both statewide and local program and policy decisions. CAYEN engages youth and young adults, who have been touched in some way by the mental health, juvenile justice, or foster care systems. They are consumers, family members, and friends of people living with a mental illness. We are firm believers that their personal experience, education, and employment give them a credible, passionate, and true voice to the challenges and successes of the TAY population. Through CAYEN they receive the support, training, and skills to bring that voice to policy and program discussions.