Joining ONCAC to Launch Child Abuse Protection Month

Ohio foster care youth and alumni believe that safety is the North Star when it comes to young people in and from foster care. Please review our issue brief on youth safety and an Op Ed written by Jonathan Thomas.

When it comes to progress here in the state of Ohio:

1. Mandated Reporting: We have been successful in our advocacy for Ohio police to become mandated reporters, and are currently seeking to encourage the state of Ohio to create a statewide form and process for police as mandated reporters. We deeply respect the insights of law enforcement, and would like to partner with them regarding design.

2. Youth Ombudsman: We have been successful in our advocacy for the establishment of a Youth Ombudsman Office, and remain involved to support the continued development of this resource.

3. Rights of Youth: We helped update the Foster Youth Bill of Rights, and participated in a video to share their importance.

4. Youth Who Run to Escape Abuse: We are working to eliminate “running away” as a status offense in the state of Ohio.

5. Youth Who Report Abuse, and Aren't Protected: We have ongoing concerns regarding young people calling child abuse hotlines and their concerns being screened out.

6. Youth Whose Grievances Need to Be Heard: We care about youth experiencing abuse in out-of-home placements and have met with DCY to discuss creating a Youth Specific Grievance Form.

7. Youth Spending Nights in Office Buildings: We previously reached out to address young people spending the night in office buildings, and have had a voice in helping develop Wellness Campuses.

We are truly looking forward to participating in Ohio for Kids Day, facilitated by the Ohio Network of Children's Advocacy Centers. 

 

Suits for Success

Suits for Success provides professional attire to current and former foster youth who are preparing to enter the workforce. We deeply appreciate Buckeye Ranch’s provision of storage space, and support from DCY, the Ohio Children’s Alliance, and Velda Hofacker. The Department of Children and Youth plans to host clothing drives on the mornings of May 13, 20 and 27, 2026.

We are currently inviting professional clothing donations in preparation for the 2026 Leadership and Life Skills Summit for current and former foster youth. During the Summit, we will have volunteers on hand to show youth how to tie their first tie. Young people in and from foster care will be able to keep these these clothing items, and wear them during job interviews and other important life events.

For those who are interested in donating to Suits for Success:

• The population we serve is current and foster youth, ages 14-24 years old.
• Donations accepted include hangers, racks and financial donations to support the cost of transporting the suits, rack rental and purchasing supplemental clothing items to support the needs of young people at the annual statewide conference for current and former foster youth.
• Those who donate clothing can receive a receipt if desired.

Learn more by visiting our website.

Pell Grant Shortfall

ACTION Ohio signed onto a March 2026 letter to express concerns and propose solutions.

Virtual Meeting with Senator Reynolds' Office

On Monday, March 2, 2026, Kim Eckhart, Lisa Dickson and Gabriella Craft had a virtual meeting with Simone Amoako, Senior Legislative Aide of Senator Michele Reynolds to ask if Senator Reynolds would be willing to include tuition vouchers in Senate Bill 13. 

In Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Virginia, publicly funded higher education institutions are prohibited from charging tuition for this population. This avoids needing to ask for a provision in the state budget every two years.

We shared the two diagrams below, along with a report demonstrating the high rates of food and housing insecurity faced by students with a foster care history. 

HR 7463: Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act

 Ohio foster care youth and alumni have been reaching out to federal legislators to share recommendations regarding ETV, including:

Allowing states to award up to $12,000 per year to youth, to respond to the rising costs of attendance, including housing/food. 

The federal bipartisan Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act would increase the maximum allowable value of an ETV voucher from $5,000 to $12,000 per year.

It would also require states to make reasonable efforts to make sure eligible youth are aware of ETV, and allow states to establish a grace period to give students time to get back on track rather than losing their ETV.

HR 7343: Foster Youth Workforce Opportunity Act

 

OHIO YAB Youth Ambassadors reached out to Congressman Miller’s Office regarding Chafee in January, and ACTION Ohio provided a quote for the introduction of the federal Foster Youth Workforce Opportunity Act: 

“ETV can currently be used for some vocational schools if the school is listed on the FAFSA. But that leaves many trade schools and short-term certificates ineligible. Extending ETV to connect former foster youth with apprenticeships and vocational training programs will set them up for success by linking them with needed educational support.” 

Here’s a link to the full text of this bill.  

 

Overcoming Driving Barriers

 

Ohio recently lost its TANF-Independent Living allocation.  This happened at the same time that driving requirements were increased. 

We’ve been researching how other states support foster youth, when it comes to driver’s education, driver’s licenses and car insurance.

In the meantime, the federal Foster Youth and Driving Act would create state and tribal programs providing up to $4,000 per year per youth for driver’s education, training, insurance, licensing fees, and related costs. 

But this federal bill has not yet been reintroduced in 2026. OHIO YAB Youth Ambassadors have been participating in virtual meetings to seek to raise interest in making that happen.