Normalcy, especially in Group Homes and Residential Placements

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During the 2019 statewide conference for foster youth, the OHIO Youth Advisory Board led a morning workshop and facilitated an afternoon table.

 The OHIO YAB invited each and every youth participant to share the concerns that matter most to them, and to have a voice when it comes to OHIO YAB advocacy priorities in 2020

 The #1 issue that has come up, over and over again is: “Normalcy, especially in group homes and residential placements.”

Here are some direct quotes from what youth shared in writing during the 2019 Pathways conference: 

•  Group homes should be used as a last resort 
• They aren’t good for certain kids. 
• I think group homes are not good because of the many limits of what you are allowed to do. 
• I think residential placements are worse because they can be very unsafe. Need more cameras. 
• I don’t like being in group homes. We don’t get freedom. Need more cameras in the rooms to keep us safe. 
• Staff members aren’t trained on how to de-escalate conflict 
• Without normalcy, group homes feel like jail because we have no freedom. 
• When it comes to civil freedoms, it’s not normal to have to earn them 
• Too many limits that make kids feel different 
• Too many limits because of past experience 
• Feeling normal is very hard 
• Shouldn’t feel like a jail. 
• Youth clients in residential should be able to have as much freedom as they can, instead of being locked in all day. 
• Residents should be able to have as much normalcy as possible. 
• Some group homes are way too hard on the kids. 
• Need more normalcy and equality. 
• Not allowed cell phones 
• Equality: it’s not our fault for being in this situation. Please stop the dehumanization of foster youth. 
• They should focus more on each individual. 
• Too many limits. Also saying, “No,” because of what someone did before 
• They should provide better preparation for adulthood. They don’t do it enough or go over it. 
• Please listen to us more 
• I feel they should support more of our thoughts and feelings 
• Please give us normalcy and remember that we are people too 
• Please support and understand our efforts to build a future 
• Providing normalcy makes our time in foster care easier, when and if it happens 
• Being able to see family: 1 month waiting period 
• Having to earn visitation with family 
• Having to earn trust to be able to see family on birthday 
• It hurts going to school and not having the same freedoms. 
• I think we should have the right to a phone. 
• Wanted to go to church and they required photo IDs etc for us to go 
• Feeling confined, voiceless, no one listening to concerns 
• No favoritism. Staff should not bully youth. 
• Need more cameras to keep us safe, due to bullying and abuse that happens (multiple youth listed and asked for this)