2015 Guernsey County YAB Retreat

Congratulations, new Guernsey County YAB officers:

• President, Tim
• Vice President, Catlin
• Media Spokesperson, Rebecca
• Secretary, Alexis
• Parliamentarian, Skylar
• Treasurer, Amber
• Kinship Liaison, Joey

2015 Ohio CASA Conference

Representatives from the OHIO Youth Advisory Board and ACTION Ohio (Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now) partnered to make the youth empowerment presentation during the 2015 Ohio CASA conference a success.

Youth panelists included: 

• Shameka Smith 
• Brittany Jackson 
• Hunter Daniels 

ACTION Ohio representatives were:

• Olena Sowers 
• Doris Edelmann 
• Lisa Dickson

Foster care youth, alumni and allies were able to meet with Senator Rob Portman, and thank him for being a champion for our youth -- particularly those who "age out" of foster care and experience couch surfing.

Link to more photos. 

2015 October OHIO YAB meeting and Officer Elections

Congratulations to these newly elected officers of the OHIO Youth Advisory Board:

1. President Gabriel Young, from Mahoning County 
2. Vice President Michael Bolwaire, from Cuyahoga County
3. Media Spokesperson Kyley Magee, from Miami County 
4. Secretary Gabrielle Walker, from Miami County 
5. Parliamentarian Re'Shawn Magby, from Mahoning County 
6. Treasurer Melissa Stroud, from Ashtabula County 

They are scheduled to take office during the January 2015 Officers Retreat.

2015 october ohio yab meeting from Lisa Dickson

Violet Ramunni featured in ODJFS First Friday

2015 Fostering Pathways to Success Conference

The OHIO Youth Advisory Board facilitated two workshops during the 2015 Fostering Pathways to Success Conference:

• Alternatives to AWOL
• Youth Advisory Board Leadership Tools

2015 Miami County Youth Advisory Board Retreat

2015 Mahoning County Youth Advisory Board Retreat

2015 SW Ohio Youth Leadership Retreat

2015 July OHIO Youth Advisory Board meeting

During the April 2015 OHIO Youth Advisory Board meeting, youth shared their insights regarding:

1. Educating others about housing challenges faced by emancipated foster care youth 
2. Budgeting tools created by Michael Bolwaire (20 youth participated) 
3. Youth voice on normalcy - for future foster parent and caseworker trainings 
4. Training Ohio Reach campus liaisons to best help foster youth
5. How to treasure and remember three young people who are no longer with us 

2015 july yab meeting from Lisa Dickson

Stark County YAB Youth Leadership Retreat

The Stark County Youth Advisory Board Retreat took place on June 12, 2015. This one-day event was proudly facilitated by Olena Sowers and Lisa Dickson. 

Link to more photos.

Stark County Youth Advisory Board

Who We Are:

• We exist to be the countywide voice for foster youth, in and out of the system

• We are a group of current and former foster youth, along with adult support

• We are ONE!

What We Do:

• We give foster care a good name

• We speak on behalf of thousands of youth in care

• We advocate for those with NO voice

• We inspire and empower youth: “You are important and can succeed”

• We try to improve foster care for current and former foster youth

• We help create “normal” lives for youth in care

Our Goals and Action Steps:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Three Days on the Hill ~ Sightseeing and Trip Home

Three Days on the Hill ~ Legislative Visits and Celebratory Banquet

Three Days on the Hill ~ Legislative Visits and Meeting with HUD

Three Days on the Hill ~ Training Day

During Three Days on the Hill 2015, our subject matter experts during training were:

• Ruthie White, Executive Director of the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare 
•  Matt Aronson, Program Specialist at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
  
  

2015 April OHIO Youth Advisory Board meeting

During the April 2015 OHIO Youth Advisory Board meeting, youth shared their insights regarding:

1. Residential placements, group homes and emergency shelters 
2. Ohio Reach website and fall conference 
3. Independent living activities for 14 year olds 
4. Ohio Foster Care Alumni Scholars: Tips from youth in college on how to succeed

2015 april yab meeting from Lisa Dickson

2015 Ohio Fostering Connections Advocacy Day

 

Link to more photos.

2015 January OHIO YAB Meeting

During the January 2015 OHIO Youth Advisory Board meeting, youth shared their insights regarding:

1. Independent Living
2. Mind Matters materials
3. Housing
4. Future OHIO YAB messaging to promote public awareness

 

2015 jan yab meeting from Lisa Dickson

2015 OHIO Youth Advisory Board Officers Retreat

2015 OHIO YAB Officers:

• President Alissa Mitchell, Stark County
• Co-Vice President Violet Ramunni, Summit County 
• Co-Vice President Dominique Jefferson, Cuyahoga County 
• Media Spokesperson Michael Bolwaire, Cuyahoga County  
• Treasurer Nathan Springs, Franklin County  
• Parliamentarian Samuel King, Franklin County  
• Secretary Damahri Carter, Franklin County