Youth Panel During YCPRT Virtual Symposium

On Friday, November 22, 2024, youth leaders Zoey, Michael and Kaydence will be sharing their insights. 

Link to slides from their presentation. 

OHIO YAB Ambassadors present during DCY All Staff Meeting

On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, OHIO YAB Youth Ambassadors Jaylin Hart and Yonnae Ase presented on a panel during the All Staff Meeting of the Department of Children and Youth. This event took place at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. At one point, the audience responded with a standing ovation.

Here are links to:

• Yonnae's written testimony
• Jaylin's written testimony

During the panel, Jaylin brought a copy of the Youth Rights Handbook and discussed the importance of county children services agencies needing to consistently support and abide by those rights. Here is a link to more photos.

Foster Youth Voice Month

The Selfless Love Foundation celebrates Foster Youth Voice Month during the month of October, in order to elevate youth voice nationwide. This year, they donated 12 shirts to the OHIO YAB, and Youth Ambassadors took photos and paired them with personal quotes.

#YouthVoice 
#FosterYouthVoice Month
#YouthVoiceinAction

2024 October OHIO YAB meeting

Link to more photos.

Link to PPT slides.

Unmet Needs of Adoptees and Young People Entrusted to Kinship Care

On Sunday, September 19, 2024, OHIO YAB Youth Ambassadors Yonnae Hobbs and Liz Blanchard shared a presentation about the unmet needs of adoptees and young people entrusted to kinship care in the state of Ohio. The audience was Ohio KAN staff members.

OHIO YAB Ambassador Raven Grice and foster care alumni Lisa Dickson and Ashley Williams were able to join them to be of support. Raven shared valuable insights about her sister, who experienced kinship care. 

Here is a link to the eligibility requirements listed in the screenshot below. 

Two Big Table Events in One Day

On Wednesday, September 25, 2024:

• OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Alivia participated in a Big Table event hosted by the Mirth Foundation. Link to more photos.
• OHIO YAB Youth Ambassadors Aaron, Miatta, and Haley participated in a Big Table event hosted by the Junior League of Columbus. Link to more photos. 

Both Big Table events were focused on improving outcomes for young people in and from foster care. Here is a link to a document that illustrates how statistics are influenced by systemic factors. 

The Big Table is a community-wide day of conversation hosted by The Columbus Foundation that aims to inspire civic engagement and authentic human connection. The goal is to build momentum for a just and kind future for all. Volunteer hosts are equipped with a guidebook and materials to help facilitate discussions, in order to create open and natural conversations where all voices are heard.

Youth Entrusted to Congregate Care

Over the past five years, the number of young people in foster care in Ohio has been reduced by 2K -- but the number of youth in congregate care has barely changed at all.   

Just last Friday, OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Yalonda shared her experience of being placed in a series of unsafe congregate care placements, running away, being placed in juvenile detention, and then being placed in another residential placement.

She shared her insights on Monday with a legislative aide, who responded that:

• “It’s easy for us to just sit in cubicles and make policies, but we need to listen to the voices of youth.”

• “Too often for teens, there is no plan and no strategy; it’s just shuffling kids around.”

• “The system is overloaded and playing whack-a-mole."

• “A runaway child is not a criminal.”

• “Keep sharing your voice, Yalonda - if you stop, we all lose."