Young Advocate Leadership Training on Saturday, Nov. 7th

The Ohio Children's Defense Fund is partnering with Central State University to host the first annual Young Advocate Leadership Training® program. This intensive organizing training will bring together over 100 student leaders from across the state.

Training Date: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009

Training Location: Central State University, 1400 Brush Row Rd., P.O. Box 1004, Wilberforce OH 45384, in the Auditorium of the Center for Education & Natural Sciences Building, Room 114.

CDF-Ohio will provide meals and coordinate transportation for all successful applicants. This might be particularly helpful for youth who are over the age of 18/emancipated and actively involved in local and statewide youth advisory efforts.

Kelly Knight receives the Mary Ellen Social Work Award

During the 2009 Ohio CASA conference, the Ohio YAB's very own Kelly Knight was awarded the Mary Ellen Social Work Award for Excellence in Children Services.

Since January 2008, Kelly has trained over 130 new CASA/GAL volunteers, during her nights and weekends. She tells her classes, "If you don't see concurrent planning, you should be questioning the case plan and insisting on its inclusion."

During her acceptance speech, Kelly pointed out that, "Time passes differently for children."

Kelly described how, for busy professionals, postponing paperwork or continuing a case might be tempting because time seems to be moving quickly. But for the child, that time is moving painfully slowly in terms of connecting them with love and permanency.

OHIO YAB Play Production

Lights! Camera! Action!

The OHIO YAB will be presenting a theatrical production of All My Foster Children during the 23rd Annual PCSAO Conference.

Learn More At: http://sites.google.com/site/ohioyabplay/

Child-Centered Recruitment of Adoptive Families

Jennifer Justice recently asked OHIO YAB members for insight because she is creating a survey questionnaire to enlist youth input regarding connecting older children in foster care with adoptive homes.

Former Ohio YAB President Adrian McLemore suggested that the survey be divided into three parts:

a. Level of Connection Desired With Biological Family

b. Bonding With Perspective Adoptive Parents

c. Post-Adoption Support & Resources

If you have additional insights to offer, please contact her at jennifer.justice@jfs.ohio.gov

For Youth From Youth: OHIO YAB Handbook

The OHIO YAB has just released a handbook for foster care youth:
http://www.pcsao.org/OhioYAB/2009/FYHandbook.pdf

Many thanks to youth for their insights during the April Ohio YAB meeting!

And many thanks to Kelly Knight for editing the handbook!

Mission Transition

http://www.mymissiontransition.com/

2009 Lorain County Youth Collaborative Youth Summit

2009 LORAIN COUNTY YOUTH COLLABORATIVE YOUTH SUMMIT— Calling all youth groups! Lorain County, specifically Ciera Rodriguez-Toney, OHIO Youth Advisory Board Member and one of the event’s coordinators, has invited you to their Youth Summit held June 19 and 20th in Lorain County. On Friday, June 19th there will be food, fun and entertainment. Then on Saturday, it’s time to work!!! There is a leadership development session and awards presentation.

For more information or to pre-register, contact: The Elyria YWCA at 440/322.6308 or The Boys and Girls Club of Lorain County at 440/775.2582.