Seeking to Preserve Pell Grants

 

House Bill 96: Testimonials to Include Foster to College Scholarship in the State Budget

On March 5, 2025, Jaleshia Brown, Adam Hassan and Michael Outrich provided in-person testimony regarding House Bill 96. 

This is a video link to their testimony. 

Additional written testimonials were provided by: 

• Kurt Holden
• Betsie Norris
• Kim Eckhart
• Rita Soronen
• Lisa Dickson
• Jewel Vaughn
• Gabriella Craft
• Caidyn Bearfield
• Barbara Oettgen
• Chauna Mason
• Tekisha Boone 
• Denise Harley

In favor of adding the Foster to College Scholarship provision to Ohio's state budget. 

Presentation for the Ohio Adolescent Health Partnership

Guiding Principles of the Ohio Adolescent Health Partnership

On Friday, December 13, 2024, Lisa Dickson presented for the Ohio Adolescent Health Partnership. 

Here's a link to her presentation, which focused on:

• Transitioning into Young Adulthood Without Family Privilege 
• Policy and Service Recommendations to Support Teens and Young Adults 

2024 Milestone Policy Discussion and 25th Chafee Anniversary

Milestones are markers on the road on the journey to make things better. Grateful for the work of so many foster care youth, alumni and allies over the past 25 years to improve the immediate circumstances and long term outcomes of foster youth.

Link to more photos.

Looking forward to meeting Ziigwan Frazer in person

Ziigwan Frazer is a 24-year old mom of two. Her nine years of experience in foster care and juvenile detention have fueled a deep desire to serve and uplift others through local, state, and federal advocacy efforts. To envision and create a better serving system for Fosters, by Fosters. After graduating in 2022 with her BSW, Ziigwan obtained her current role as the Policy and Advocacy Manager for a Minnesota nonprofit called Foster Advocates that elevates Fosters expertise and vision for change through state policy and organizing efforts.

In 2020, Ziigwan participated in an Education Leadership Team, identifying bold solutions to address the education gap for former foster youth. From that work came the Fostering Higher Education Act, the most robust college support in the country for Fosters. 

This Act passed in 2021 and went into full effect in 2022. Thanks to this legislation, any young person who experienced foster care in Minnesota for at least one day after age 13, is eligible for their full cost of attendance to be covered - including tuition, books, housing, food and transportation support. 

Addressing the education gap doesn't only impact access to higher education. It stabilizes housing, it creates food security, it allows young people with a foster care history to successfully move forward to build their futures. 

In addition to their work on education, Minnesota foster care youth and alumni advocates were able to successfully establish an Office of the Ombudsperson for Foster Youth in 2022. They are currently working on the creations of a Foster Bill of Rights, which is scheduled for introduction to the Minnesota legislature in January 2025.

Suits for Success travels to its new home

Reflecting on Thanksgiving Together 2024

For youth who have experienced foster care firsthand, the holidays can be a painful reminder of loss and lack of family support. For this reason, ACTION Ohio hosts annual early Thanksgiving Together gatherings for current and former foster youth. This annual celebration began in 2007 and has continued ever since. As former foster youth ourselves, we want our brothers and sisters of the system to know that they always have a seat at the table for Thanksgiving. 

In 2024, three Thanksgiving Together celebrations took place in NE, SW and Central Ohio. Each event included resource tables, handmade blankets and other giveaways. Participants were welcome to sign their name on fabric leaves, which were ironed onto a Chosen Family Tree. They were also invited to participate in the Open Mic portion by sharing something they are grateful for and/or one of their recent accomplishments. Their personal progress and valuable insights were applauded.  

2024 was a unique and challenging year, in that four Ohio former foster care alumni lost their lives. Two to medical conditions, one to an act of violence, and one to a traffic accident. A caring foster parent lost her life to an act of violence as well. For this reason, Remembrance Tables were made available for participants to express grief through creative activities. Thanks to Kim Kehl of the Department of Children and Youth, grief counselors volunteered their time at all three dinners to provide trauma-informed care.

Joy overshadowed loss, and participants were empowered through connection with resources. Former foster youth who are now parents received supplies such diapers, bottles and baby clothes. The Northeast and Central Thanksgiving Together events included gift baskets filled with personal care items, kitchenware, towels and bedding, household tools, and other necessities for first apartments. There were to-go containers for leftover meals.

The event provided opportunities to support OHIO YAB youth leadership development as well. Lyric Ruffin helped plan and prepare for the NE Ohio Thanksgiving Together. Yavian Webster emceed the Central Ohio Thanksgiving Together event. Liz Blanchard created a documentary about this annual event for a college class assignment. She interviewed a series of long-time participants, inviting them to talk about what Thanksgiving Together means to them.