Youth Panel During YCPRT Virtual Symposium

Click to enlarge

On Friday, November 22, 2024, youth leaders Zoey, Michael and Kaydence shared shared their insights as part of a panel during the Youth Centered Permanency Roundtable's Virtual Symposium. 

Link to slides from their presentation. 

Quotes from the chat when the presentation was over:

• I could not be prouder of these young people. I am so honored to know Kaydence and Michael!
• I'm inspired! Thank you all for sharing!
• Thank you for sharing your stories!  You did awesome.
• Thank you so much for sharing - your voice matters!
• Well done to each of you! Thank you for sharing.
• Thank you for sharing.
• Thank you so much for sharing. I have been doing this for a long time and these are the stories that keep me going in helping the youth that I am responsible for. Well done!
• Thank you all so much for being vulnerable and transparent about your experiences. You inspire us to do better for our future, which IS you. Great job and best wishes in those endeavors!!
• Thank you for being courageous in your vulnerability.
• Thank you for sharing!  Very impactful.
• I appreciate you and your wisdom. Thank you!
• Thank you for your willingness to share. You are bright young people and your future looks bright.
• You all have been the best part of my week. You have inspired me and I appreciate you allowing us the space to lean from you!
• Thank you! Thank you! So grateful to be able to be here for the presentation!!
• Thanks to the three of you. Amazing!
• Thanks to all of you! You did great!

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 for the Kinship Guardian Assistance program listed in the screenshot below.  And here's a link to the Adoption Assistance Connections to 21 Fact Sheet. 

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."