Alivia's Testimony on the Fostering School Success Act

On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Alivia Johnson was able to submit testimony regarding House Bill 25, which has been renamed the "Fostering School Success Act."

Jordan Deaton Goes to Washington D.C.

Assistant Director Jeffery Van Deusen of the Department of Children and Youth received an invitation from the Office of the First Lady inviting him, along with a young adult with lived experience to travel to Washington, D.C. 

On Tuesday, Feb. 3,  2026, OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Jordan Deaton was able to participate in a Fostering the Future Roundtable with senior White House officials and Assistant Secretary Alex Adams of the Administration for Children and Families.

This was an opportunity for Jordan to assist in the implementation of the Executive Order on Fostering the Future for American Children and Families. He was accompanied by Lisa Carlin of SAFY.

Additional details and pictures forthcoming...

Virtual Meeting with Representative Sharon Ray

On Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Addison and foster care alumni supporter Lisa participated in a virtual meeting with Representative Sharon Ray to discuss her work on bills that intersect with the safety of Ohio children and teens.

We were inspired by our time with Representative Ray and her care and concern for our population. She is an adoptee herself. She said, "You guys are doing wonderful work for a population that isn't always heard."

We also deeply appreciate that Representative Ray didn't let a Level 3 Snow Emergency keep her from connecting with us virtually via Zoom. Her warm nature and caring heart were a wonderful start to our morning. 

OHIO YAB Recorded Training for YAB Adult Supporters

OHIO YAB Youth Ambassadors have been working to design and create a recorded training series for to train new YAB Adult Supporters:

• Part 1 focuses on What is A Youth Advisory Board?  
• Part 2 focuses on the Roles and Responsibilities of YAB Adult Supporters

This has been a team effort, with multiple young people working behind-the-scenes on the diagrams and content. OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Mattie is the content presenter.

January 2026 OHIO YAB Statewide Quarterly Meeting

The January OHIO YAB meeting took place on Thursday, January 15, 2026. 

Inclement weather impeded the travel of several counties, but Franklin, Champaign and Stark County youth leaders were able to participate. 

Link to more photos.

Link to slides.

Link to BINGO Answers.

OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Russ Lang

OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Russ Lang recently traveled to DC with the Forum for Youth Investment to participate in Youth Development Policy Table.

Russ came into the room carrying both his lived experience and the academic grounding to put that experience into numbers. He didn’t just want to share what he went through; he wanted people to understand that the data behind those stories - and that these patterns are bigger than any one person.

A published photographer known for his cityscape work across Cleveland, Russ brings a distinct lens to policy spaces by showing how lived experience adds depth to data and why true belonging matters in decision-making.

Russ has also been working behind-the-scenes to:

• Review and share his insights regarding Positive Youth Development Curriculum through the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program

• Help design a future webinar for Youth Advisory Board adult supporters

All three of these opportunities underscore Russ' ongoing commitment to demonstrate how intentional support can uplift disadvantaged populations as they step into advocacy and leadership roles.

Virtual Meeting With DCY Staff

On Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, OHIO YAB Youth Ambassadors Zoey, Alana and Raven met with the following staff members from the Department of Children and Youth:

• Jeff Van Deusen, Assistant Director
• Dorothy Striker, Bureau Chief
• Laurie Valentine, Section Chief
• Alicia Masters, Human Services Program Administrator
• Lily Clossman, Children's Initiatives Project Manager

The topics were:

• The loss of TANF-Independent Living funds and Ohio's increased driver's license requirements. 
• The OHIO YAB recommendation for a Youth-Specific Grievance Form.

The OHIO YAB deeply values partnering with the Department of Children and Youth, and appreciates the responsiveness of DCY leadership to youth concerns.