OHIO YAB ~ Messaging in 2016

OHIO YAB Media Spokesperson Melissa Stroud recently invited member feedback and ideas when it comes to hashtags and messaging in 2016.

These are some of the ideas they shared:

• #FosterLivesMatter
• #YouthHaveAVoice
• #TimeforChange
• #ChosenFamily
• #Adopt
• #CanIHaveAVoice
• #SpeakOut
• #ImHome
• #WhoIsFamily
• #BeBraveBeBoldBelieveinYourPurpose
• #WhyDoIStandOut
• #LiveLearnLove
• #ITT  #InThisTogether
• #NormalLife
• #IAmNotTheOther

Respecting youth's boundaries
They also came up with a great point about allowing youth to choose which hashtags they feel most comfortable with, when it comes to their personal social media postings. This might depend on whether or not youth choose to publicly disclose the fact that they are in foster care.

This is a great point -- we care very much about personal boundaries and Strategic Sharing, and never want to have a young person feel forced to share something that is uncomfortable for them.

Future ideas

• Video with the #FosterLivesMatter
• Share hashtags with schools through presentations
• Make an app?

OHIO YAB ~ Member Goals for 2016

During the lunch break at the January 2016 OHIO Youth Advisory Board meeting, youth from all over the state had the chance to share their goals for 2016.

These are their personal goals:

• #LoveYourself
• Live... Laugh... Love
• #StayStrong
• Stay Positive
• Become more hands-on during county YAB meetings
• Provide youth workshops for our board
• Become captain of my dance team
• Pass the 11th grade with a good GPA
• Graduate with a good GPA, good grades and all 27 credits
• Graduate high school and start college for pharmacy
• Graduate high school, move to Cincinnati and start college
• Remove myself from toxic environment - and go to college
• Keep up with keeping bad people out of my life
• Stay in school for my senior year, and get good grades
• Keep up my good grades
• Get my GED before I'm 18
• Keeping up my grades
• Start college
• Training more with my Sgt. for the Marines
• Move closer to campus
• Get a driver's license
• Get a car
• Complete my 3rd semester
• Get a 20 or higher on my ACT
• To attend college in the fall for Social Work
• Save my money
• Maintain financial sustainability
• Get a new apartment
• Get adopted
• Get a better dance team
• Get into Kentucky State University
• Get a good paying job and keep it
• Buy my first home and go to college
• Stay strong -- and no matter where I go, remain positive
• Adapt to all changes no matter what will come to pass

OHIO YAB ~ Member's Accomplishments in 2015

During the lunch break at January 2016 OHIO Youth Advisory Board meeting, youth from all over the state had the chance to share their personal accomplishments in 2015.

Ohio foster youth's personal accomplishments in 2015:

• Started the Mahoning County Youth Advisory Board
• Established a Youth Advisory Board in Guernsey County
• Got accepted into college
• Got accepted into Sullivan University
• Got accepted into the University of Akron
• Got accepted into four different colleges for fall of 2016
• Got my first job
• Passed all my classes this semester
• Moved forward with a new and promising job
• Filled out job applications
• Broke my city track record
• Became a softball pitcher
• Got a good internship
• Got my driver's license!!!!
• Started and completed a semester in college
• Moved into my first apartment
• Became a senior without giving up
• Became a role model - not giving up, staying strong!
• Getting good grades
• Graduated high school
• Got an apartment
• Got my apartment
• Passed my SAT with a 1340
• Took the ACT
• Won $2K in scholarship money
• Passed my OGTs
• Got all my credits for school
• Got straight A's to show my sister that she can do it too #RoleModel
• Made it through my junior year with only going to school half the year (due to circumstances beyond my control)
• Got my name changed finally
• Changed my attitude and became a better me -- I pressed forward through tough situations, and learned how to handle them

2016 January OHIO YAB Meeting

2016 january ohio yab meeting from Lisa Dickson

2016 OHIO YAB Officers Retreat