10 Things You Can Do To Support Foster Youth

On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, OHIO YAB Ambassador Yavian Webster co-presented with Jenny Stotts and Jennifer Moore about the Youth Ombudsman Office during the Out of School Time Conference. The presentation was very well received: 

• One program administrator in attendance highly praised Yavian, and remarked that she wished more workshops included presenters with "lived experience."

• Another attendee came to the presentation by accident; he had initially intended to go to another workshop. He raised his hand and shared that attending this workshop was "meant to be" because he knows his program has foster youth that participate and he had no idea any of the resources the presenters were sharing even existed.

 

2024 January OHIO YAB Statewide Quarterly Meeting

Link to more photos.

Link to slides.

Youth were able to share their insights regarding this Community Response Guide. 

Raven's College Graduation

OHIO YAB Ambassador Raven Grice has attained a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art, a minor in Business from Cleveland State University, as well as certificates in pre-Art Therapy and Nonprofit Management. She graduated Cum Laude (with honors) yesterday, and depending on her grades, she might have attained Magna Cum Laude. Around her neck, she is wearing her Honors Medallion. She received a medal for being part of the National Society of Leadership and Success, and yesterday she wore the stole for that and the stole for being a Native American graduate. Great job, Raven!!!

Link to more photos.

Allen County Youth Advisory Board Presentation

On Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, Mattie Harrod presented in Allen County. Her presentation was titled, "Why the OHIO YAB?" and the topics she shared were:

• What is the OHIO YAB?
• What are the benefits to attending statewide meetings and maintaining a local YAB?
• What has the OHIO YAB accomplished?
• What do OHIO YAB statewide quarterly meetings look like?

Mattie's presentation was engaging and heartfelt:

• Mattie shared that the reason behind the OHIO YAB's ongoing efforts is: "Because, unfortunately, the system isn't perfect and there will always be another topic to bring to light."

• She mentioned that, "If I were to put even half of what the YAB has accomplished in here, you'd be here for hours and hours."

• She ended with her personal testimonial, which is pictured above. 

Mattie serves as President of the Allen County Youth Advisory Board. Her presentation inspired caseworker support to prioritize YAB involvement and led to four additional youth joining the Allen County Youth Advisory Board. 

Participant Praise for Youth Panelists during YCPRT Virtual Symposium

 

Youth Centered Permanency Roundtables ~ 2023 Virtual Symposium

 On Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, the OHIO YAB presented an overview, and encouraged counties to:

• Nominate Youth Ambassadors to the OHIO YAB
• Transport foster youth and young adults (ages 14-24) to statewide quarterly OHIO YAB meetings
• Create and maintain county/regional Youth Advisory Boards

Participants in the OHIO YAB Youth Panel were:

• Kevin of Clark County
• Jaylynn of Lorain County
• Aryunna of Montgomery County

Mattie of Allen County and Jahmie of Franklin County shared their insights about permanency during preparatory calls, but were unable to participate on the day of the Summit. 

Both Kevin and Jaylynn experienced Youth Centered Permanency Roundtables, and felt that it was a valuable experience. They felt that they were genuinely listened to, and that their outcomes had improved as a result of participating in YCPRTs:

• Kevin described permanency as, "The state of not worrying about where you are going to be for the foreseeable future."

• Jaylyyn talked about how much it means to her that, after she ages out of foster care, her foster parent will still be there for her. She's been assured that she will still be a part of the family, still on the Christmas list, and that there will still be a seat for her at the Thanksgiving table.

Aryunna had not experienced a Youth Centered Permanency Roundtable. She shared that it would have been helpful, particularly for a young person who is in a positive foster care placement in which they feel safe and cared for... In the meantime, Aryunna has maintained a network of post-emancipation support by staying in touch with her CASA and former caseworker, and through her relationships with her boyfriend and his mother. 

Youth felt that both life skills and caring connections are important in preparing for the transition into young adulthood. During preparatory calls, Mattie made the point that, "There are definitely programs to support them like Bridges and independent living. But if you don't do one of these, you don't have support. No one is reaching out to you or checking in on you if you don't have a case with them. It's like: Goodbye, see you later, and hope you're good."

Youth reflected the importance of caring adults in their lives: 

• Jaylynn mentioned that, "Lorain County caseworkers are like family to me because I've known them for so long. They've got my back and I know that pretty well. Basically, all I've known for six years is the foster care agency and caseworkers."
  
  
• When Kevin was asked to talk about his support network, he mentioned: "Half of Clark County JFS, my independent living mentors and my two caseworkers."  Kevin also shared his positive experience with Project Jericho, his artwork being shared in multiple venues, and how much it meant to be able to express himself. 
  
  
• Aryunna praised her former CASA for staying in her life and helping her with her resume, jobs and so much more. "It's really important to stay in touch with your caseworker and CASA, they can help you a lot."

During preparatory calls, Mattie also mentioned her caseworker, and the OHIO YAB as well. Youth discussed the reality that permanency comes in a number of ways. They mentioned that participating in the Overcoming Hurdles in Ohio Youth Advisory Board is a way to connect with peer support, as is coming to annual Thanksgiving Together events. 

Virtual Meeting with Director Wente

Below is a follow-up message sent to Director Kara Wente after a virtual meeting with her and twelve representatives of the OHIO YAB on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. 

Director Wente,

Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with us at a time that we are available and thanks for being willing to do so on evenings and even weekends if needed. Sunday nights at 6 pm work best for us, but we can often make Wednesday or Thursday nights at 6 pm or later work as well. 

Thank you so much for inviting our feedback, because as we looked at the current website for the new Ohio Department of Children and Youth, and as we looked at the list of priorities and goals, we did not yet see ourselves and feel included. We care and understand that this website and these efforts are in a transition stage, and we would love to be of help and support. 

The OHIO YAB recommends that the website of the new Ohio Department of Children and Youth include a “Youth Page.” Currently, the website only has tabs for Families, Providers and Partners. Since the department’s mission statement is: “To place children at the core of its mission to promote positive, lifelong outcomes for all Ohio youth,” we believe that a subpage on their website for Youth is needed.

We can and understand that the Department has not hired a new Communications person yet. As Aaron mentioned last night, “I cannot wait to meet the new Communications Director when we are gifted with that beautiful human!”

When it comes to the future “Youth” page on the website, we would love to work together on two goals:

1.) Resources: For the Youth Page to include resources for teens and young adults who lack family support. Not every young person has a family that they can rely on; they need and deserve access to information and resources as well. We are including an attached summary of resource links that Ohio youth leaders have recommended be included on the future Youth subpage of the Ohio Department of Children and Youth website.

As one of our youth leaders mentioned last night, as a youth without family support transitioning into young adulthood: “It’s so hard for get information to even know about resources. They are not accessible if you don’t have someone who knows. This makes it 10 times harder.”

While a “Youth” page on the Ohio Department of Children and Youth’s website can never replace the need for caring adults to coach, support and encourage teens and young adults, it can inform those caring adults and the youth themselves. 

2.) Photos of Teens and Young Adults: Again, we would love to help with this, once the new Communications staff member is hired. When youth reviewed the current website, they noticed that: “It’s not really focused on teens. It seems focused on ages 10 and under. There is no representation of teens in the photos on the website, just families and children and focused on the first years.”

One of our youth leaders asked last night, “Speaking as someone who entered the system at three years old age, and re-entered at 10 years old, we (the teens and young adults) are the children that you wanted to help. Where is the focus on older youth? What made you all steer towards younger children?”

She added, “We are those same three-year-olds. We are just older now.” 

When it comes to the Department’s website --- and, ultimately, the Department’s goals, it would be wonderful if the voices, experiences and outcomes of teens and young adults who lack family privilege could have greater representation. And, again, we would love to help.

As one of our youth leaders, Aaron, shared at the end of the call:

• Thank you for giving me the opportunity to listen in on this insightful meeting tonight. It sparked a deeper conviction in my soul. 

• Director Wente, my gratitude goes out to you for a most well-presented gathering. I feel you hear our passion and truly will be a voice in rooms we might not be able to at this moment.

• Director Duesen, my gratitude goes to you for sharing and giving us space to be heard.

• To all our youth that shared tonight - you were phenomenal, and you spoke for my heart.

Aaron recommended: "Let's stay connected with regards to a follow-up Zoom meet together! Having a Progress Tracking Report would be amazing."