2020 January OHIO YAB meeting

1. Ohio Youth Advisory Board
Thursday, January 16, 2019
Quest Conference Center, 8405 Pulsar Place,
Columbus, OH 43240

2. We exist to be the knowledgeable
statewide voice that influences policies and
practices that impact youth who have or
will experience out of home care.
OHIO YAB Mission

3. Update on Fostering
Stable Housing
Opportunities Act

4. Meeting with
ODJFS Director
Kimberly Hall

5. Governor DeWine’s
Foster Care Forums

6. Governor DeWine’s
Foster Care Forums

7. 2020 OHIO YAB
Strategic Focus Areas
Foster Care Youth and Alumni Testimony Focused on:
- Statewide Foster Care Ombudsman’s Office to be established,
specifically for youth/young adults
- Normalcy barriers and safety issues to be addressed, especially
in group homes and residential placements
- Sibling connections to be maintained and prioritized
- Mandatory trainings for foster parents and caseworkers that
serve teens regarding independent living resources
- Independent Living Departments to be mandated in every
county.

8. Brainstorming Topics
1. First Star: College Readiness Programs for Foster Youth:
Currently being piloted at Kent State to reach nine Ohio
counties, with hopes for future expansion to reach other
regions of the state
2. Updating OHIO YAB promotional materials
3. Aged Outt: Striving to help transitioning youth age 18-24,
who have aged out of the foster care system, become self-
sufficient and obtain future success.
4. Youth Voice on statewide initiatives (i.e. Family First, Bridges,
Ohio CASA website)