Three Days On the Hill ~ Legislative Visits, Day 3 and Sightseeing

During our final day in DC, we had one morning visit, which was Senator Sherrod Brown's Constituent Coffee. We spent the rest of day sightseeing, prior to our flights home.

Link to more photos. 

2014 Three Days On the Hill ~ Legislative Visits, Day 2

During our second day of legislative visits, we participated in the following meetings:

• Senator Rob Portman's Constituent Coffee 
• Representative Joyce Beatty (Franklin County) 
• Legislative Assistant for Representative Jim Jordan (Huron County) 
• Senator Rob Portman 
• Legislative Assistant for Representative Bob Gibbs (Stark County)

Link to more photos.

2014 Three Days On the Hill ~ Legislative Visits, Day 1

During our first day of legislative visits, we met with:

• Becky Shipp, Health Policy Advisor to the Senate Finance Committee 
• Legislative Assistant Rebecca Kastan, U.S. Congressman Pat Tiberi's Office 
• Representative Mike Turner (Montgomery County)
• Legislative Assistant for Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (Cuyahoga County)

Link to more photos. 

2014 Three Days On the Hill ~ Training Day

For Three Days on the Hill 2014, our subject matter experts on Training Day included:

• Ruthie White, Executive Director of the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare
• Todd Shenk, Senior Fellow from Casey Family Programs and Special Assistant to the Secretary's Senior Advisor for Housing and Services.
• Matt Aronson, Program Specialist at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

We were also delighted that Bethany Koshinsky, ACTION Ohio member and one of the sponsors of this year's event, was available to help facilitate training. We also deeply appreciated Bethany Koshinsky's roommate, Angie Debendetti, and her willingness to take us on a grocery run after our arrival in DC.

Link to more photos. 

Working to Address Aging Out of Foster Care to Homelessness in Cincinnati

It was the privilege of the Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America to assist with the launching of the Foster Care Youth and Alumni Advisory Council to End Youth Homelessness in Cincinnati.

We shared about Purposeful Sharing and Advocating Without Alienating.

Participants impressed us greatly... and we can't wait to see what they work together to accomplish in the year to come!

FCAA Ohio Spring Meetings

FCAA Ohio Pay It Forward Program

The Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America has an annual Holiday Wish Program, during which we invite alumni, allies and ally organizations sponsor one/more foster care alumni for the holidays.

In 2013,

• One of our allies, Traci Harbal Berry and her employees sponsored one foster care alumna and her children in Canton, Cincinnati and Columbus 
• The Office of Families and Children sponsored one foster care alumna and her children in Columbus
• Ann Bishoff of LINK 22 and Starfish Alliance assisted with the Columbus sponsorships, and reached out to an additional single male foster care alumni in order to brighten his holidays as well