Overcoming Hurdles in Ohio YAB

Friday, April 5, 2019

2019 Pathways conference

Link to more photos.

Quotes from youth evaluations of the OHIO YAB workshop:

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)