1. Three Days On the Hill
March 17 – 21, 2013
OHIO Youth Advisory
Board
2. We exist to be the
knowledgeable statewide voice
that influences policies and
practices that effect all youth who
have or will experience out of
home care.
OHIO Youth Advisory Board
Mission Statement
9. Youth delegates with Shalita O’Neale of the Maryland
Youth Resource Center and Fostering Change Network
10. Focus Areas for Participating Youth
1. What is the role of the federal government when
it comes to transitional housing for youth "aging
out" of foster care?
2. Does the Uninterrupted Scholars Act address
the differing number of credits required to
graduate from high schools, and how this can
negatively impact foster youth when they
transfer from one high school to another?
11. Focus Areas for Participating Youth
3. Could Title IV-E funds ever be expanded to
allow them to be used for the training of youth --
not just adults?
4. Is there another way to promote compliance
with NYTD besides having states lose part of
their Chafee dollars for noncompliance? Could
there be another penalty? Rather than one that
risks negatively impacting the success of foster
youth?
Three Days On the Hill was an empowering and educational development opportunity for twelve Ohio foster care teens and young adults. We know that our young people learn best from first-hand experience. This trip took youth leaders out of a classroom setting, and relocated them to our nation's capital. Being able to dialogue and ask questions of federal decision-makers and national leaders in the housing and child welfare fields was invaluable to our young people. Through this interactive experience, participants increased their knowledge of our nation's policies and legislative processes.
We are going to be reviewing the role of each officer, both to equip you during the two years ahead, and to think outside the box in terms of training & development opportunities.
As part of Three Days On the Hill in 2013: Twelve Ohio foster care youth/young adults had the opportunity to further their leadership development. After participating in DC-based training and preparation, they shared their insights to educate for positive change. Participants were empowered to share their experience and expertise to educate federal decision-makers regarding how to promote positive outcomes for youth in foster care, including the value of housing resources for youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood. Through various meetings with state and federal legislators, participants learned more about our nation’s policy and legislative processes and how these processes impact issues that affect them.
The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI ) hosted our morning training and provided coffee and breakfast food. Youth participants were excited to learn about the CCAI summer internship for foster care youth and alumni. It was also interesting to learn more about the evolution / history connected with the development of CCAI.
Casey Family Programs assisted with training on national foster care policy, and sponsored our lunch.
The afternoon training was hosted by the Office of Representative Karen Bass. Foster care youth and alumni participants watched a video about the Congressional Caucus on Foster Care.
Housing for youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood ranks high on the OHIO Youth Advisory Board’s list of priorities. Matthew Aronson of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development shared his insights.
Ruth White, of the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare is an incredibly passionate advocate – and deeply beloved by Ohio.
Shalita O’Neale of the Maryland Youth Resource Center and Fostering Change Network
After the training, young people identified four areas to learn more about during their time in DC: 1. What is the role of the federal government when it comes to transitional housing for youth "aging out" of foster care? 2. Does the Uninterrupted Scholars Act address the differing number of credits required to graduate from high schools, and how this can negatively impact foster youth when they transfer from one high school to another? (continued on next slide)
After the training, young people identified four areas to learn more about during their time in DC: (continued from previous slide) 3. Could Title IV-E funds ever be expanded to allow them to be used for the training of youth -- not just adults? 4. Is there another way to promote compliance with NTYD besides having states lose part of their Chafee dollars for noncompliance? Could there be another penalty? Rather than one that risks negatively impacting the success of foster youth?
Legislative discussions proved to be a two-way street. It was educational for youth to be able to dialogue with federal officials. And the representatives, in turn, valued discussions with our young people.
U.S. Congressman Pat Tiberi's office was already supportive and aware of the issues that youth discussed -- with one exception: They were not aware that the flexibility of IV-E funds still would not allow them to be used to train youth -- only to train adults. One OHIO YAB Officers, Tabitha Copas, compared this to the game of "Telephone" -- her question was: "Why train a foster parent or caseworker to train youth about independent living? Why not train youth directly themselves, by excellent, talented trainers?" Tabitha added that, as it is, busy caseworkers do this in addition to all their other responsibilities, and the quality and consistency of training for youth differs throughout Ohio.
U.S. Congressman Michael Turner from Dayton took a special interest in discussing housing for transitional youth. He asked many questions of young people about their personal experiences, and mentioned that he was meeting with a representative from his local Metropolitan Housing Authority later in the afternoon, and wanted to talk about setting aside housing specifically for foster youth / alumni and making them a priority.
Participating young people felt encouraged by Representative Mike Turner’s response.
Regarding our visit to Representative John Boehner's office: We appreciated the Speaker of the House's willingness to set aside time during this period of busy House negotiation in order to arrange for the youth to meet with a representative from his office. The youth were articulate and presented well, and we were and are very proud of them.
During the visit with Becky Shipp, the Health Policy Advisory to the Senate Finance Commitee, youth wondered if there might be another way to encourage states to comply with NYTD other than cutting Chafee funds. They worried that youth themselves will be punished by this, and their outcomes negatively impacted. The young people greatly enjoyed this visit, and felt very "heard" and understood by Becky Shipp. Dauntea Sledge coordinated the ending of this meeting, during which each young person shared “Appreciations,” outlining what they most appreciated about this visit. It was a powerful and beautiful experience.
The last visit was with Senator Rob Portman's new aide -- she was wowed by our young people. So much so that she spent additional time with them, beyond that which was already scheduled. She also arranged for them to be able to watch live Senate hearings. Participants deeply appreciated her receptiveness to their message, and willingness to go the extra mile in terms of her initiative to provide them with an experience that they had never had before.
All in all, this proved to be a wonderful development opportunity for our young people. Participants left with a better understanding of not only how the federal government operates – but how the DC metro system operates as well.
One of the founding principles of the foster care youth and alumni movement is to Celebrate Success: Therefore, we are deeply grateful to the Fostering Change Network for hosting a banquet in celebration of the advocacy of Ohio foster care youth and alumni.
Foster care alumni, Danielle Jennings of Blessed Haven and Chris Chmielewski of Foster Focus Magazine, were there to demonstrate their ever-present support.
“ Nothing about us without us” is the founding philosophy behind Foster Care Alumni of America, as a national organization. This phrase encapsulates the passion, energy, vitality, and sense of urgency of the foster care movement – and the importance of actually listening to the voices of firsthand consumers of foster care. OHIO Youth Advisory Board Officers who participated in this trip have already taken the initiative to debrief regarding: (a.) what went well, (b.) challenges faced, (c.) suggestions for the future. One of their ideas is that some of this year's youth leaders might assist in facilitating next year's DC-based training. As part of their follow-up, many of the youth participants are planning to report out for various audiences, including: -- their local high school -- their local ADAMHS Board -- their County Commissioner -- their local Youth Advisory Boards
“ Nothing about us without us” is the founding philosophy behind Foster Care Alumni of America, as a national organization. This phrase encapsulates the passion, energy, vitality, and sense of urgency of the foster care movement – and the importance of actually listening to the voices of firsthand consumers of foster care. OHIO Youth Advisory Board Officers who participated in this trip have already taken the initiative to debrief regarding: (a.) what went well, (b.) challenges faced, (c.) suggestions for the future. One of their ideas is that some of this year's youth leaders might assist in facilitating next year's DC-based training. As part of their follow-up, many of the youth participants are planning to report out for various audiences, including: -- their local high school -- their local ADAMHS Board -- their County Commissioner -- their local Youth Advisory Boards
“ Nothing about us without us” is the founding philosophy behind Foster Care Alumni of America, as a national organization. This phrase encapsulates the passion, energy, vitality, and sense of urgency of the foster care movement – and the importance of actually listening to the voices of firsthand consumers of foster care. OHIO Youth Advisory Board Officers who participated in this trip have already taken the initiative to debrief regarding: (a.) what went well, (b.) challenges faced, (c.) suggestions for the future. One of their ideas is that some of this year's youth leaders might assist in facilitating next year's DC-based training. As part of their follow-up, many of the youth participants are planning to report out for various audiences, including: -- their local high school -- their local ADAMHS Board -- their County Commissioner -- their local Youth Advisory Boards
“ Nothing about us without us” is the founding philosophy behind Foster Care Alumni of America, as a national organization. This phrase encapsulates the passion, energy, vitality, and sense of urgency of the foster care movement – and the importance of actually listening to the voices of firsthand consumers of foster care. OHIO Youth Advisory Board Officers who participated in this trip have already taken the initiative to debrief regarding: (a.) what went well, (b.) challenges faced, (c.) suggestions for the future. One of their ideas is that some of this year's youth leaders might assist in facilitating next year's DC-based training. As part of their follow-up, many of the youth participants are planning to report out for various audiences, including: -- their local high school -- their local ADAMHS Board -- their County Commissioner -- their local Youth Advisory Boards
“ Nothing about us without us” is the founding philosophy behind Foster Care Alumni of America, as a national organization. This phrase encapsulates the passion, energy, vitality, and sense of urgency of the foster care movement – and the importance of actually listening to the voices of firsthand consumers of foster care. OHIO Youth Advisory Board Officers who participated in this trip have already taken the initiative to debrief regarding: (a.) what went well, (b.) challenges faced, (c.) suggestions for the future. One of their ideas is that some of this year's youth leaders might assist in facilitating next year's DC-based training. As part of their follow-up, many of the youth participants are planning to report out for various audiences, including: -- their local high school -- their local ADAMHS Board -- their County Commissioner -- their local Youth Advisory Boards
