Prevention is Justice: Tools and Funding Every Youth Serving Professional Should Know
Communities for Functional Zero (C4F0) is shifting how Washington State supports youth and young adults by focusing on diversion—youth-centered, relationship-based problem solving that stabilizes housing before crisis or system involvement occurs. In this session, C4F0 leaders from across the state will share how cross-sector professionals are using youth-centered conversation tools to build trust, speak with young people on their level, and identify solutions youth are willing to engage with. Participants will also learn how professionals across child welfare, education, courts, behavioral health, and community-based systems can be trained as community requestors to access flexible diversion and prevention funding on behalf of youth—without requiring young people to enter another system. By equipping trusted adults with effective engagement tools and access to flexible funding, communities can stabilize youth earlier, reduce system involvement, and support long-term stability.