Connecting the Dots Conference makes the front page of the Columbus Dispatch

The 2012 Connecting the Dots Conference for Foster Care Teens and Young Adults was featured on the front page of the Columbus Dispatch on Saturday, August 4, 2012.

CLICK ON EACH IMAGE TO VIEW:

Ohio YAB Presentation for ODJFS All Staff Meeting

Marcus Henry, Derek Biggers, Director Colbert and Alex McFarland

2012 and 2013 Ohio YAB Strategic Plan

On January, 14, 2012, during the Ohio Youth Advisory Board Officers Retreat, generously hosted by the Dave Thomas Foundation, Ohio YAB officers crafted their two-year strategic plan:

• 2012 - 2013 Ohio YAB Strategic Plan

On January 19, 2012, during the first quarterly Ohio YAB statewide meeting, brainstorming sessions included youth/young adult representatives from Athens, Cuyahoga, Fairfield, Franklin, Greene, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Montgomery, Portage, Summit and Vinton counties.

Their insights are documented in these Youth Proposed Action Steps related to each of the Strategic Plan categories:

• Education
• Workforce Development
• Finance and Resource Management
• Housing
• Advocacy Opportunities
• Youth Voice in Court
• State and County Youth Advisory Board Development ~ coming soon...

2011 Career and Entrepreneurship Event for Foster Care Youth and Alumni

Link to more photos.

Earlier this year, representatives from the Ohio Youth Advisory Board met with ODJFS Director Michael Colbert, and shared a vision with him...

This vision was for Ohio to hold a statewide event for current and former foster youth -- the primary purpose of which would be to connect young people with employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

As with every other issue that we have brought to ODJFS Director Colbert's attention so far, he took our request seriously and followed up on it.

Yesterday, Ohio's very first Career and Entrepreneurship Event for Foster Care Youth and Alumni was held...

• Lisa Dickson served as Lead Facilitator, and ensured that youth voice was the guiding force of the conference
  
  
• Meeting Space was made possible due to the ODJFS funding allocation for the Ohio Youth Advisory Board.

• Continental Breakfast, Lunch and Beverages are provided courtesy of the Dave Thomas Foundation, ACTION Ohio, New Beginnings Insurance Services, the Institute for Human Services, and Randi Lewis' generous donation to the support the Ohio Youth Advisory Board.

The event included a Resume Clinic, staffed by professionals, and Suits for Success, freely available to participating youth...

At the end of the day, our most valuable feedback came -- of course -- from the youth themselves...

Rhonda Sciortino's Keynote ~ Quotes from Youth Evaluations:

• “It was wonderful. I am SO glad she was able to come. It gave me a lot of insight, not only into my situation, but how to live my life.”

• “I liked that Rhonda encouraged us – we need more of that”

• “It was nice to be able to meet someone that was a foster child in the past, and that has a wonderful life.”

• “This session was really helpful and inspirational to me cause it gave a lot more hope for my future and it showed me that you can do whatever you want, if you have the passion for it and put your mind into it.”

• “Mrs. Sciortino taught me that no matter what anyone says to try and put me down and say that I can’t do it, that I’m the ONLY ONE who can change my life and succeed in my life.”

• "Was really interested in what Rhonda was saying – it gave me hope that I could become something in life. LOVED IT”

One young person just wrote, on the evaluation form regarding Rhonda's presentation: "Thank you."

Overall Event ~ Quotes from Youth Evaluations:

• “Worth the trip, thoroughly enjoyed it”

• “It was wonderful. I really enjoyed it. I hope we can do it again, soon.”

• “I loved it. This conference ROCKS! I hope we have another”

• “I thought that it was all very helpful! And I think that all the information I got today will help me down the line.”

• “Anything they said was helpful, if you just apply it to your life. A quote that always went through my head: ‘How to you live when you’re ruled by your past? But how do you forget a past that made you?”

• “I enjoyed it, and it will help me in the future.”

• “The event was a success in terms of the people I connected with.”

• “The whole event was very professional, and organized by the way that everything was set up and put together, and I believe everyone who decided to have this event for us are really caring people who really cares about the youth and where they end up, and who they become. Thank you very much for inviting me.”

• “I have really enjoyed the whole entire time I’ve been here. I appreciate every single person who taught me things that I didn’t know were possible”

• “I’m glad I came today, because I learned a lot of stuff that will help me with a successful future.”

• “I am really glad that I got to come up to Columbus; I am leaving with lots of new facts than when I came. I really think that all students need to do what I did today.”

• “I really enjoyed it, even though I had to get up really early. I liked it.”

• “I really enjoyed myself and really changed my perspective on jobs, life and success. Loved it!!!”

ODJFS Director Michael Colbert: Champion of Ohio Foster Youth Transitioning Into Adulthood

The Ohio Youth Advisory Board and Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America deeply appreciate the thoroughness with which ODJFS Director Michael Colbert has followed up on concerns expressed by Ohio foster care youth regarding challenges faced during the time when they transition into adulthood.

Please visit the following links to read:

• ODJFS Director Michael Colbert's Letter Announcing the Aging Out of Foster Care Initiative
• Briefing Paper That Outlines the Strategies and Timeline
• Information About the $2M Independent Living Allocation, Fully Restored by Director Colbert

Resources for Ohio youth "aging out" of foster care

Employment

• Foster care youth are 100% eligible for WIA funds.
• Contact your local WIA Board.

Food

• Go with the young person to apply for food stamps, or accompany him or her to the nearest Food Bank.
• Here's a list of Food Banks in Ohio.

GED

• Job Corps is a great way to complete a high school education, and even provides housing!
• Ohio has three Jobs Corps Centers.

Healthcare

• Foster care youth who "age out" of the system can receive Medicaid until age 21.
• Navigating the adult Medicaid system can be challenging.
• Don't assume that the staff at the Medicaid office will be aware of this program -- bring a copy of the flyer.

Higher Ed

• Ohio Reach is a statewide initiative to increase the number of foster care youth who enroll in and graduate from college.
• A good place to start in choosing a college is to look over the list of Ohio Reach Campus Liaisons.

Housing

• The Family Unification Program provides housing vouchers for which foster care alumni are eligible.
• Find out if your county has applied for FUPS - and how to make this happen.

Legal Assistance

Are you a current or former foster youth between ages 16-25?

Do you need help with:

• Understanding legal papers? 
• Getting healthcare, public benefits, housing or insurance? 
• Applying to college? Deleting criminal records? 
• Finding your social security card, birth certificate, or other personal documents? 
• Speaking up for yourself in court, at school or in the community? 

Contact the Foster Youth Advocacy Center: (614) 236-6768, fyac@law.capital.edu

Literacy

• Have you contacted your local library and/or Literacy Council?
• The Ohio Literacy Network offers a free online membership.

Mental Health

• Each Ohio county has a Mental Health Board, and it's up to us to advocate for specific services for transitioning foster care youth.
• It's important to be aware that former foster youth suffer from PTSD at a rate twice that of Vietnam war veterans.

Parenting

• The Ohio Parent Information Network provides free information and support, and the State Library of Ohio has compiled this list of additional resources.
• Foster Care Alumni of America recently published a book, FLUX, which includes a chapter on parenting after foster care.

Phone Bills

• Lifeline, Link Up, and Toll Limitation Service (TLS) help keep Americans connected by making basic, local telephone service more affordable for more than 7 million Americans.

Self Advocacy

• Mission Transition is a free online resource.
• Another free online source is the Foster Youth Rights Handbook created by the Ohio YAB.

Social Security

• Emancipating foster care youth with disabilities can submit SSI applications up to 90 days before federal foster care payments are supposed to end.
• Remind the staff member that this is an exception to the general rule regarding this process.

Ohio YAB Event Calendar ~ Spring 2011

January

• January 15,  Ohio YAB Officer's Retreat
• January 20, Quarterly Ohio YAB Meeting in Columbus
• January 29, Stark County workshop on "Navigating Relationships With Bio Families"

February

• February 11, OFC opportunity for youth voice on Ohio rules & regulations
• February 13, Franklin County Youth Panel 
• February 15, Deadline to submit FosterClub AllStar Application/Recommendation
• February 26, Summit County Youth Advisory Board Training

March

• March 8, SACWIS meeting
• March 11, CO-OP Conference for Foster Parents

April

• April 16, Hispanic Leadership Conference in Lorain
• April 21, Quarterly Ohio YAB meeting in Columbus

May

• May 12, Youth Panel in Summit County
• May 19, Wendy's Wonderful Kids Summit

June

• June 24-25, Purple Project Conference in Cleveland

Presidential Address

Overcoming Hurdles in Ohio Youth Advisory Board

We exist to be the knowledgeable statewide voice that influences policies and practices 
that affect all youth who have or will experience out of home care.

I’d like to start out by saying how excited, as well as honored I am to serve as your President of the Ohio Youth Advisory Board.

I want to remind each of you that we are a board of people who are concerned and motivated to serve you and those brothers and sisters of ours that are still in care or aged out and for the future youth to come.

With that being said, I cannot stress enough that we are just the face of this board, and that you and the others we speak out for are the strong heartbeat that truly matters to us and keeps us going.

As President, I personally vow to stay as knowledgeable as possible for the advancement of foster care into a better tomorrow. I will advocate for all needs no matter how small or large the obstacle may seem.

With a new year and new administration ahead, I would also like to take this time to invite ideas from every youth member of the board, as well as adult supporters.

I’d like to thank each adult supporter in advance for supporting the needs of your youth, as well as the vision of Ohio Youth Advisory Board, and look forward to working with you and appreciating your individual areas of expertise.

Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or thoughts you may have. I would like to reiterate that I look forward to leading as your president during this New Year ahead.


~ President Cieria Rodriguez-Toney

Seanine Cook, Cuyahoga County Youth Advisory Board: TAGyc

Seanine Cook, an Independent Living caseworker with Cuyahoga County Child and Family Services, was recently awarded 2010 Ohio Child Protection Worker of the Year by the Public Children Services Association of Ohio.

Seanine Cook was also recently awarded the Channel 3 News Today Gold Star:

• Social worker goes beyond the call of duty to help a foster kid, WKC.com, October 13, 2010

Along with two Cuyahoga County foster care alumni, Tone Frierson and Romero Smith, Seanine recently participated in the following radio interview:

• Kuhlman, Mary. Entering Adulthood a Lonely Road for Hundreds of Ohio Youth. Public News Service: Ohio, October 11, 2010.

Future of Youth Advisory Boards for Foster Youth in Ohio

Future of Ohio Youth Advisory Boards

View more presentations from Lisa Dickson.

INVESTING IN COUNTY and STATE YABS


• YAB funding from ODJFS
• Upcoming Ohio/County Youth Advisory Board Membership Drive
• Lunchtime with Lisa: Resource for YAB Adult Supporters
• NEW website: http://fostercareyouthleadership.wikispaces.com to support the preparation and retention of future Ohio YAB officers

CELEBRATING OHIO YOUTH ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 2010 Ohio Foster Club All-Star: Jeremie Austin-Brown, Stark County
• 2010 Foster Club Outstanding Young Leaders: Rico Rushin and Alex McFarland
• 2010 Ohio Reach Summit: Laquita Howell, Hamilton County
• Dayton Daily News: Uncle takes on role of dad to keep family together

Now, more than ever, with tight budgets and limited resources, Ohio's emancipating foster care youth NEED support, empowerment and preparation!

National Advocacy Opportunities

Regarding the upcoming reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Ohio foster care youth and alumni are invited to write letters to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, regarding the need to support the specific needs of foster care youth.

• Letter from Senate Caucus on Foster Youth
• Letter from the Ohio Youth Advisory Board

Template that Ohio youth/alumni can use, and personalize with their own insights/experiences:

The Honorable Tom Harkin
Chairman, HELP Committee
428 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510


The Honorable Mike Enzi
Ranking Member, HELP Committee
428 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Enzi,


We are writing you on behalf of (your county youth advisory board), a youth-led organization of foster care youth, to request that foster care specific concerns be addressed in the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.


As foster care youth, we have experienced educational challenges.  (Insert specific experience, such as changing schools in the middle of the year, having different textbooks and losing credits, etc. For statistics, you can use some of the stats listed on the Changing the Odds wiki).

There are specific steps that can be included in the reauthorization of the ESEA that would improve the educational experiences and outcomes for youth in and from foster care. (Make your suggestions)

Sign on behalf of the officers of your county youth advisory board: 

Name of Officer

Office Held

Name of Board