Virtual presentation for Ohio's new Department for Children and Youth

On Friday, February 16, 2024, OHIO YAB Youth Ambassadors participated in a virtual meeting with representatives of Ohio's new Department for Children and Youth. 

Participants included:

• Denielle Ell-Rittinger, Bureau Chief Children Services Policy Supports
• Laurie Valentine, Section Chief Independent Living and Transitional Aged Youth
• Monica Kress, Assistant Bureau Chief Foster Care Licensing
• Sharla O'Keefe, Section Chief  Substitute Care and Licensing Policy  
• Ashley Keller, Section Chief Child Protective Services
• Stevie Romano, Assistant Deputy Director of Regulatory Compliance
• Patricia Wilson, Section Chief IV-E Policy
• Lynn Sowards, Section Chief Kinship and Adoption Policy

Miatta and Aarron served as lead presenters, and the slides they shared were authored by fellow youth leader Karimah. During the meeting, we were honored to have the additional insights of Myranda as well. Group discussion included:

• the negative impact of school disruption, when it comes to loss of adult and peer support
• the importance of staff being medically certified
• that it is a dangerous practice to medicate but not educate (i.e. failing to empower traumatized youth by teaching them coping skills)

Miatta stressed the need for youth voice in statewide decision-making, and the importance of ensuring that group homes and residential facilities are safe, secure and comfortable. Myranda shared that it can be difficult to work on your own trauma within a setting of 11 other residents. Quote: "The staff need better training. Not every youth in the unit is in the same place. We only get to see the therapist once a week. It's hard to focus on personal trauma because of the chaos."

Representatives from the Department of Children and Youth were very open to youth insights and feedback. Stevie Romano shared that her department certifies and monitors QRTPs, but that there can be a difference between a one day inspection vs. the day-to-day experiences of youth residents. Sharla O'Keeffe shared that her team writes QRTP rules, and has partnered with the OHIO YAB on other projects, such as exit interviews, in the past. 

 Quotes from DCY staff:

• "I was overwhelmingly impressed by what I saw today."
• "You and your group are pioneers."
• "Your voice matters."
• "The time is right for you to come to us with this."

Next steps will include focusing on: 

1. Platform for youth voice (i.e. virtual focus groups, breakout sessions during OHIO YAB statewide quarterly meetings)
   
   
2. Youth voice in training (similar to how OHIO YAB members have previously assisted OUCCAS in vetting workshops for foster parents)
   
   
3. Establishing a Medical Ombudsman Office (here is a link to Arron's written testimony, which, on page 2, includes mapping out the need for this resource)
   
   
4. Streamlining communication (Laurie Valentine is of great assistance in this regard)
   
   
5. Service Planning 

OHIO YAB Ambassador Arron ended our call with a message of gratitude:

Thank you all for taking your time, space and energy to hear us out. Your gratitude is truly a gift. Thank you for talking and connecting with us. Thank you for your partnership in amplifying the voices of youth in matters that directly impact them.  

Lisa, our big sister and system sibling of a lifetime has been pushing a boulder up this hill that each of us youth are more than equipped and prepared to help see change in.

Vital check:

- Youth need and deserve safe housing (vs. spending nights in buildings)
- A Medical Ombudsman is needed for youth ASAP
-Funding toward clinical nurses in QRTPs is vital, so we can ensure that residentials do not get shut down, leaving youth without a safe avenue of shelter

Our passion comes from our experience of trauma. We do not intend to reiterate what we have gone through. We are the voices of youth today who cannot speak for themselves, who cannot be in these rooms. We are the new frontline of our struggle. 

Together, we will see a difference. Together, we are the change. You all are truly phenomenal. It is so rare to truly feel heard. My heart goes out to each soul who sat and listened and responded with us today.