OHIO YAB Training Videos for 211 Operators

OHIO YAB Youth Ambassadors are hard at work creating videos to train 211 staff members throughout the state about resources to support young people in and from foster care: 

• Alana's video lets Ohio 211 operators know the value of Ohio ETV,  and why they should let young people know about it when they call. 

• Raven's video shares the history of the Youth Ombudsman Office, and situations in which Ohio 211 operators should refer youth to this resource. 

Alana's Article for DCY Tuesday Times

My experience as an ETV Student Ambassador at UC Blue Ash as part of the CATALYST Summer Bridge Program was a great one. As someone who previously attended UC Blue Ash, it was especially meaningful to return to the campus in a different role and have the opportunity to speak with students about my experiences as well as understand and motivate them to first not feel pressured. I shared my personal experience on how I felt pressured and still try to maintain school work and life outside of that but also encouraged them to do what you choose to do and what you can handle.

The experience felt very down-to-earth and comfortable because I was speaking with my peers. Being able to have casual, genuine conversations made it easier for me to connect with the students and share my experiences in a way that felt authentic.

Returning to UC Blue Ash also gave me a strong sense of reminiscence especially with seeing prior support people from Ohio Reach and campus staff, as well as simply walking around the campus. They helped me understand and be excited to come back to school, and to see it in a different point of view due to my Student Ambassador Role. This was a role. I thought I would never be able to experience. When I first attended UC Blue Ash, the campus was still under construction, so seeing the completed school was very meaningful to me. It reminded me of how far I have come and motivated me to continue working toward completing my own education.

As a Student Ambassador, I felt empowered knowing that I was only a couple of years apart from where many of the students I was speaking to are now. It was refreshing to realize that I was once in their seat. I was able to share my journey, encourage them, and hopefully give them motivation to continue pursuing their education. It was rewarding to know that my experience could help students see what is possible for them in the future.

One of my favorite parts of the experience was hearing the Chemistry professor speak and seeing how he made chemistry feel fun and approachable. Before that, when I thought about chemistry, I imagined random letters, numbers, and complicated equations. His teaching style made me look at the subject differently and even made me consider taking Chemistry with him if I have to take the course.

Overall, being a Student Ambassador at UC Blue Ash was a fun, motivating, and empowering experience. Returning to a school I once attended, connecting with students, sharing my experiences, as well as seeing staff that once supported me in my beginning till now, and understating    that they are still there and will continue to support me upon my return as well, as thousands of kids that they have supported are currently supporting and will support in the future. Also, seeing how much the campus had changed since I was there made the experience especially meaningful to me. It reminded me of where I started, how far I have come, what I’m coming back to, and why I want to continue working toward my own goals.

~ Alana Johnson, ETV Student Ambassador, OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador and proud member of the Hamilton County Youth Advisory Board

2026 July OHIO YAB Meeting

Link to more photos.

Link to slides. 

2026 Leadership and Life Skills Summit

Link to photos.

On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the OHIO YAB and ACTION Ohio facilitated a Leadership and Life Skills Summit for Current and Former Foster Youth, to inform and empower Ohio teens and young adults with a foster care history (ages 14-24).  This event was made possible thanks to the support of the Ohio Children’s Alliance, the Department of Children and Youth, and The Ohana Project.

103 youth and young adults from the following counties participated: Allen, Butler, Champaign, Cuyahoga, Erie, Franklin, Geauga, Hamilton, Highland, Hocking, Jefferson, Licking, Lorain, Miami, Montgomery, Pickaway, Sandusky, Stark, Washington and Wood. 

2026 Ohio Foster Care Summit - Together for Ohio Youth in Out of Home Care

Link to photos.

The Nationwide Children's Hospital's two-day Foster Care Summit took place on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 and Thursday, May 28, 2026.

The OHIO YAB and ACTION Ohio presented:

• A Youth Panel on the first day 
• A Breakout Session on the second day, including:
• a State Advocacy Timeline
• a Federal Advocacy Timeline

The Ohio Foster Care Summit is a collaborative two-day event bringing together healthcare professionals, child welfare teams, foster and kinship families, group homes and residential facilities and youth with lived experience. 

This engaging conference highlights statewide initiatives, practical strategies, and trauma-informed approaches to improve care and support for youth in foster care. Through expert presentations, interactive sessions, and shared stories, attendees will gain actionable tools to strengthen collaboration, enhance stability, and improve outcomes for youth across Ohio.

Target Audience: Healthcare professionals, child welfare staff and caseworkers, foster and kinship families, group homes and residential facilities, aged-out or alumni youth, court appointed special advocates, guardian ad litem, and any individuals or programs invested in the success and well-being of children in foster care.

Objectives: At the conclusion of this activity, learners will be able to:

• Identify and address key challenges facing Ohio’s youth in foster care.
• Strengthen cross-system collaboration and communication across the healthcare team.
• Empower foster youth and families through communication of shared experiences and education.
• Identify sustainable foster care resource networks across Ohio

May Virtual Meeting with DCY

On Monday, May 18, 2026, OHIO YAB Youth Ambassadors met with Director Kara Wente of the Department of Children and Youth and Director Tia Marcel Moretti of the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health to share safety recommendations for residential facilities. 

Link to slides. 

A follow-up meeting was held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 with members of Director Tia Marcel Moretti's staff, including:

• Deputy Director of External Affairs Vanessa McMahon
• Systems Manager of Prevention and Child/Youth Services Nisaa Robinson
• Senior Policy Analyst Julia Jackels
• DBH Program Administrator Macin Taylor
• Behavioral Health Prevention Strategist Valerie Leach
• Jennifer Morgenstern, Regional Director of Pinnacle Treatment Centers

Link to slides.

Ohio signs on to the federal "A Home for Every Child" initiative

Link to more photos. 

On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Governor DeWine signed on to Ohio's participation in the federal A Home for Every Child initiative. Ohio is the 16th state to sign on to this effort, and the first county-administered state to do so...  OHIO YAB Youth Ambassadors are eager to have a role in future implementation. During the event, DCY Director Kara Wente affirmed that her office will work with current and former foster youth to safeguard youth voice and youth safety.