Wednesday, October 28, 2015

#ACTION Update ~ Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now

Ohio foster care alumni are currently planning ahead to facilitate two on-campus events in for foster care teens (ages 14+) at The Ohio State University in 2016.

On April 22, 2015, Ohio foster care alumni partnered with Dr. Terrell Strayhorn and OSU campus organizations including the Center for Higher Education Enterprises, the P12 initiative and the OSU Social Work Field Department to host(and field-test) “College for a Day.”

This all-day on-campus experience was designed specifically to measure and then increase youth knowledge and awareness when it comes to higher education. It included presentations from the Admissions and Financial Aid Departments, a campus tour, a basketball game at the Rec Center, a student panel, and youth focus groups.

The event was a success, we were able to reach 44 Franklin County foster youth. Afterwords, we met with Dr. Terrell Strayhorn's staff from CHEE to discuss what went well, and what we might tweak in order for the event to be even more successful in the future... His staff members, Chris Travers and Trevion Henderson, are wonderful, and his entire team is committed to support this event. We are scheduled to lead a training for his staff on Dec. 10, 2015.

In order to reach, empower and prepare additional young people, we will be holding two “College for the Day” events on April 20, and October 5, 2016. We are planning for 40 youth per event, and would like to extend this opportunity -- and share this model -- to Ohio counties throughout the state.

We continue to build on-campus support for this endeavor. The latest ally on our team is Lauren Heatherly: she works for OSU Financial Aid, and has a Social Work background. She is passionate, energetic, and visionary -- she can truly see how, with support, our young people can succeed in higher education.

Saturday, October 17, 2015

2015 Ohio CASA Conference




Representatives from the OHIO Youth Advisory Board and ACTION Ohio (Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now) partnered to make the youth empowerment presentation during the 2015 Ohio CASA conference a success.

Youth panelists included: 

  • Shameka Smith 
  • Brittany Jackson 
  • Hunter Daniels 


ACTION Ohio representatives were:

  • Olena Sowers 
  • Doris Edelmann 
  • Lisa Dickson


Foster care youth, alumni and allies were able to meet with Senator Rob Portman, and thank him for being a champion for our youth -- particularly those who "age out" of foster care and experience couch surfing.

Friday, October 2, 2015

ACTION Ohio featured in ODJFS First Friday

2015 Fostering Pathways to Success Conference

Two members of the ACTION Ohio leadership team received "Founder Awards" during the 2015 Fostering Pathways to Success conference.

Miami County Youth Advisory Board Retreat

Representatives from ACTION Ohio were honored to facilitate the Miami County YAB Retreat.

ACTION Ohio Leadership Meetings

Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now (ACTION)


Foster Care Youth Express Their Creative Talents

Many thanks to Jessica Hollins and My Very Own Blanket for hosting...