April Curtis

April Curtis is a nationally recognized child welfare and juvenile justice consultant, advocate, and leader dedicated to advancing equity and strengthening families. She currently serves as Chief of Staff at Youth Guidance, where she leads efforts on critical issues including juvenile justice reform and violence reduction. Drawing from her own lived experience in the Illinois Child Welfare system, April brings both professional expertise and personal passion to her advocacy, empowering youth and families to solve problems, advocate for themselves, and improve their lives.

In 2023, April was honored with the prestigious Peggy A. Montes Unsung Heroines Award by Cook County, which recognizes women making significant contributions to their communities. She has also been published in Crain’s Chicago Business, where her commentary highlighted the importance of kinship care, family connections, and addressing root causes of child maltreatment such as poverty, substance abuse, and mental health challenges.

April holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has served in numerous leadership roles, including Board Chair of Foster Care Alumni of America and as a member of the Child Welfare League of America’s board. She also advises on state-level policy as a member of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services’ Latino Advisory Committee and the Governor’s Joint Task Force on Sibling Post-Adoption.

Her work has been recognized with awards from organizations including the Hispanic Advisory Committee, Chicago Area Project, Child Welfare League of America, and the North American Council on Adoptable Children. Throughout her career, April has championed initiatives that center parent advocacy, leadership, and community-based prevention programs, underscoring her unwavering commitment to the well-being of children and families.