OHIO YAB's Ongoing Partnership With the Youth Ombudsman

Brina Collins, Yvette Onyango and Victoria Rundhaug

Youth Ombudsman Jenny Stotts continues to respond to youth insights in a helpful, caring and timely manner.

a.) During a recent virtual meeting, two OHIO YAB Youth Ambassadors expressed interest in working or volunteering for the Youth Ombudsman Office. The Youth Ombudsman Office invited 2-3 young adults with foster care experience to serve as Technical Advisors on a special project: Link to flyer.

b.) Also, on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, a virtual focus group was hosted by three OSU students (pictured above) to invite youth input on the Rapid Innovation for Public Impact project (RIPI). The focus was on how to increase youth awareness throughout the state about their rights, and about the services and supports provided by the Youth Ombudsman. 

The ultimate goal of the RIPI project is to make sure all youth in foster care, kinship care, group homes and residential centers know about their rights and how to get help when they have concerns or questions.

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Dear OHIO YAB Youth Ambassadors,

This letter is to acknowledge your written response and evaluation of the 2023 Annual Report of the Youth and Family Ombudsmen Office. I remain deeply grateful for your insight and feedback.

I would also like to thank you for the opportunity to participate in a breakout discussion with youth leaders at a recent statewide quarterly meeting of the Overcoming Hurdles in Ohio Youth Advisory Board (OHIO YAB) to discuss screening practices. I have since shared the notes of that breakout discussion with leaders at the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY). I agree that consistent and comprehensive screening practices across Ohio are essential to ensuring youth safety.

I have forwarded a copy of your response and evaluation of our 2023 annual report to DCY and have planned for follow up discussions with members of their leadership team to further explore opportunities for collaboration to strengthen Ohio’s children services system.

Regarding your recommendations and interest to support the training of law enforcement professionals on their responsibilities as mandated reporters, I have shared that information with representatives of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy and the Buckeye Sheriff’s Association.

Additionally, I shared a copy of your response/evaluation with the Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO) and advised them of your interest in meeting or presenting to discuss agency communication.

Thank you for providing such a comprehensive and compassionate response to our 2023 Annual Report. I look forward to continued collaboration and discussion. Please know that I remain open to your feedback, and I am always interested in hearing from you.

With gratitude,
Jenny Stotts, Youth Ombudsman