2022 Youth Ombudsman Testimony

 

Pictured with
Senator Cecil Thomas and Senator Teresa Fedor
of the Senator Judiciary

Link to more photos.

On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, we were able to provide testimony for House Bill 4, related to the establishment of a Youth Ombudsman. 

Proponent testimony was shared by: 

• Juliana Barton, ACTION Ohio
• Todd Brooklyn, OHIO YAB
• Kim Eckhart, CDF-Ohio

Testimony was also provided by Kristi Burre of the Governor's Children's Initiative, during which she mentioned that: 

• The independent Ombudsman Office is an important first step in listening to the youth voice and using it to inform policy changes and programs.

• We are committed to this continued partnership with our youth advocates. 

• In discussions regarding the Ombudsman Office, youth shared they felt disconnected from resources and needed help navigating the children services system. 

• As a result, ODJFS has begun exploring ways to stand up a youth navigator program, which will support youth by answering their questions and providing information about the children services system. This program will complement the Ombudsman Office in a variety of ways.  

FSHO's national implementation

 

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE IMPLEMENTS FSHO.

The Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act (FSHO) was written by foster youth and alumni from ACTION Ohio, NCHCW, and Congressional Champions led by Rep. Michael Turner of Ohio and Rep. Karen Bass of California.  FSHO offers a platform for youth to build economic self-sufficiency. 

2022 January OHIO YAB Meeting

Link to more photos. 

Yesterday was the OHIO YAB’s first statewide quarterly meeting in person since January 2020.

Although COVID kept Ohio youth leaders from being able to meet in person, youth ambassadors from every county and regional YAB have continued to move the work of the Board forward behind the scenes, including:

• Virtual meetings with legislators
• Virtual Roundtables with the Governor
• Youth brainstorming sessions on Zoom

But there is a certain power that comes from meeting in person. So much has happened over the past two years. Yesterday’s 12 and 13-year-olds are now 14 and 15, and have been missing out on having a statewide voice. This is why we were determined to make yesterday’s meeting happen, even when the funding for our space and food fell through.

As with every other thing about 2022, things were and are unpredictable. The most active Youth Ambassadors over the past two years weren’t able to make it due to (a.) not being able to get out of class, (b.) having COVID, (c.) their ride had COVID, (d.) someone they had been in contact with recently had COVID, (e.) a family member had COVID.

The OHIO YAB is based on “overcoming hurdles in Ohio,” and that’s exactly what happened yesterday. The partnership between Franklin and Stark Counties which was formed during a youth retreat in Feb. 2020 was rekindled. A former OHIO YAB President drove down to be of support. Youth for whom this was their very first OHIO YAB meeting exemplified the quote of: “Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes.”

Participating youth were able to have a voice about:

• How they define permanency
• Driver’s Ed and Driver’s Licenses
• A Resource App Pilot
• The future Youth Ombudsman Office

Youth-Centered Permanency

Are you between ages 18 - 26? Were you reunified, adopted, or placed in guardianship at age 14 or older?  Would you like to share your insights to empower youth to have a voice when it comes to identifying permanent connections?

Please contact JamoleCallahan@nacac.org

Recommended Characteristics of a Future Youth Ombudsman

On Jan. 4, 2022, the OHIO YAB, ACTION Ohio and Children's Defense Fund~Ohio met with ODJFS to discuss the experience, education and characteristics of the future Youth Ombudsman.

In 19-year-old Todd’s words: “This is an office that should not be taken lightly. This is an office that I wish I had when I was younger.

Normalcy Discussion

In early December 2022, the OHIO YAB asked:

• In what ways did you and did you not experience “Normalcy” during foster care?

Attached are youth responses, organized by category.