Authored by Associated Press journalist Helen O'Neill, this article focuses on Adrian's role as uncle/kinship caregiver for his niece and nephew.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Adrian McLemore in Associated Press article
This Father's Day, an article about our very own Adrian McLemore, first President and founding member of the "Overcoming Hurdles in Ohio" statewide youth advisory board, and current Media Spokesperson of Foster Care Alumni of America's Ohio chapter, is being shared throughout the country.
Authored by Associated Press journalist Helen O'Neill, this article focuses on Adrian's role as uncle/kinship caregiver for his niece and nephew.
Authored by Associated Press journalist Helen O'Neill, this article focuses on Adrian's role as uncle/kinship caregiver for his niece and nephew.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Resources for Ohio youth "aging out" of foster care
- Foster care youth are 100% eligible for WIA funds.
- Contact your local WIA Board.
Food
- Go with the young person to apply for food stamps, or accompany him or her to the nearest Food Bank.
- Here's a list of Food Banks in Ohio.
GED
- Job Corps is a great way to complete a high school education, and even provides housing!
- Ohio has three Jobs Corps Centers.
Healthcare
- Foster care youth who "age out" of the system can receive Medicaid until age 21.
- Navigating the adult Medicaid system can be challenging.
- Don't assume that the staff at the Medicaid office will be aware of this program -- bring a copy of the flyer.
Higher Ed
- Ohio Reach is a statewide initiative to increase the number of foster care youth who enroll in and graduate from college.
- A good place to start in choosing a college is to look over the list of Ohio Reach Campus Liaisons.
Housing
- The Family Unification Program provides housing vouchers for which foster care alumni are eligible.
- Find out if your county has applied for FUPS - and how to make this happen.
Legal Assistance
Are you a current or former foster youth between ages 16-25?
Do you need help with:
- Understanding legal papers?
- Getting healthcare, public benefits, housing or insurance?
- Applying to college? Deleting criminal records?
- Finding your social security card, birth certificate, or other personal documents?
- Speaking up for yourself in court, at school or in the community?
Literacy
- Have you contacted your local library and/or Literacy Council?
- The Ohio Literacy Network offers a free online membership.
Mental Health
- Each Ohio county has a Mental Health Board, and it's up to us to advocate for specific services for transitioning foster care youth.
- It's important to be aware that former foster youth suffer from PTSD at a rate twice that of Vietnam war veterans.
Parenting
- The Ohio Parent Information Network provides free information and support, and the State Library of Ohio has compiled this list of additional resources.
- Foster Care Alumni of America recently published a book, FLUX, which includes a chapter on parenting after foster care.
Phone Bills
- Lifeline, Link Up, and Toll Limitation Service (TLS) help keep Americans connected by making basic, local telephone service more affordable for more than 7 million Americans.
- Mission Transition is a free online resource.
- Another free online source is the Foster Youth Rights Handbook created by the Ohio YAB.
- Emancipating foster care youth with disabilities can submit SSI applications up to 90 days before federal foster care payments are supposed to end.
- Remind the staff member that this is an exception to the general rule regarding this process.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Radio interview with ODJFS Director Michael Colbert and Adrian McLemore
ODJFS Director Michael Colbert and Adrian McLemore were recently interviewed by Mary Kuhlman of Public News Service, Ohio.
Key quotes:
- ODJFS Director Colbert points out that today's foster teens are Ohio's future citizens and leaders, and that by supporting them now, they won't need other types of support in the future.
"What you don't want is young people to leave our system and come back, right back in another system. You want them to leave our system and go on to become productive citizens in life."
- The director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Michael Colbert, has met with many of Ohio's foster youth, and says he is impressed with their resilience. He adds that it's crucial to prioritize support for their future success.
"These are very good young people. They've had some tough times and, by giving them a small bridge to help them better themselves in life, we are making Ohio as a whole better, and this goes a long way for such a little investment."
Friday, June 3, 2011
Appreciation for ODJFS Director Michael Colbert
ODJFS Director Michael Colbert,
Ohio foster care youth and alumni would like to thank ODJFS for advocating for the $2 million/year designation of TANF funds in HB 153 to support the restoration of the foster care Independent Living Initiative. We offer our thanks on behalf of the Ohio Youth Advisory Board as well.
Please let us know if there is any work that we can do to support your efforts. We are more than willing to advocate for funding.
Ohio foster care youth and alumni were deeply involved in advocating for this allocation in 2009:
- Adrian McLemore reminded the Ohio Senate that we foster care youth look to the government to be our parent.
- Sarah Callihan explained in detail how independent living funds had helped her to successfully transition from foster care to adulthood.
- Lisa Dickson quoted national research indicating that “Every $1 invested in continued foster care supports and services results in a return of $2.40."
- Foster care youth visited 24 legislators offices to remind them of the wisdom of investing in transitional youth who are “Ready to Launch” into adulthood.
- Public testimony before Human Services Subcommittee
- Public testimony before the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee
Once again, thank you – the words themselves seem insufficient in comparison with our gratitude.
Sincerely,
Lisa Dickson
Communications Chair
Foster Care Alumni of America Ohio chapter
www.fcaa-oh.org
YWCA Greater Cleveland Offers Supportive Housing for Former Foster Youth
Independence Place Serves as a Model for Helping Society's Most Vulnerable Young People
CLEVELAND, June 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For most teenagers, turning 18 represents the milestone of "coming of age." For teens in foster care, that birthday also brings a less hopeful term: "aging out." At 18, most of these young adults are no longer eligible for the support they were able to rely on as children. Often, they are left homeless and unable to support themselves and, in some cases, their own small children.
Now, for former foster youth in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, there is an alternative. The YWCA Greater Cleveland has opened Independence Place, a permanent supportive residential facility for young adults 18-24 years old who have aged out of foster care and have nowhere to turn.
"Many of the young adults who transition out of foster care are all alone and, through no fault of their own, find themselves in desperate circumstances," said Margaret Mitchell, YWCA Greater Cleveland president and CEO. Studies show that within four years of emancipation from foster care nearly a quarter of these young adults have been homeless, nearly a quarter have not earned a high school diploma or GED, fewer than half are employed and almost half have experienced significant financial hardships.
Such statistics have driven the YWCA Greater Cleveland to its position at the forefront of providing comprehensive services for this often-overlooked population. In 2008, the organization established a program called NIA (Nurturing Independence & Aspirations) for young women, ages 14-24, who are involved in or have transitioned from the foster care system. NIA provides encouragement and support to approximately 100 participants each year.
The recently opened Independence Place is among only a handful of programs in the country offering permanent supportive housing to these young adults as they work toward self-sufficiency. Each of the 23 fully furnished apartments includes a kitchenette, private full bath, air conditioning and a large closet. The facility also offers a community room, laundry room and a playroom for children. Through the NIA program, residents have access to supportive services including classes that teach GED preparation, parenting skills, job readiness and independent living skills.
"Independence Place is a place of promise and hope," Mitchell said. "We believe this innovative model of residential support will be one that is replicated across the country."
CONTACT: Dawn Hanson, 216.229.5220, dawnhanson@thefairmountgroup.com
CLEVELAND, June 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For most teenagers, turning 18 represents the milestone of "coming of age." For teens in foster care, that birthday also brings a less hopeful term: "aging out." At 18, most of these young adults are no longer eligible for the support they were able to rely on as children. Often, they are left homeless and unable to support themselves and, in some cases, their own small children.
Now, for former foster youth in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, there is an alternative. The YWCA Greater Cleveland has opened Independence Place, a permanent supportive residential facility for young adults 18-24 years old who have aged out of foster care and have nowhere to turn.
"Many of the young adults who transition out of foster care are all alone and, through no fault of their own, find themselves in desperate circumstances," said Margaret Mitchell, YWCA Greater Cleveland president and CEO. Studies show that within four years of emancipation from foster care nearly a quarter of these young adults have been homeless, nearly a quarter have not earned a high school diploma or GED, fewer than half are employed and almost half have experienced significant financial hardships.
Such statistics have driven the YWCA Greater Cleveland to its position at the forefront of providing comprehensive services for this often-overlooked population. In 2008, the organization established a program called NIA (Nurturing Independence & Aspirations) for young women, ages 14-24, who are involved in or have transitioned from the foster care system. NIA provides encouragement and support to approximately 100 participants each year.
The recently opened Independence Place is among only a handful of programs in the country offering permanent supportive housing to these young adults as they work toward self-sufficiency. Each of the 23 fully furnished apartments includes a kitchenette, private full bath, air conditioning and a large closet. The facility also offers a community room, laundry room and a playroom for children. Through the NIA program, residents have access to supportive services including classes that teach GED preparation, parenting skills, job readiness and independent living skills.
"Independence Place is a place of promise and hope," Mitchell said. "We believe this innovative model of residential support will be one that is replicated across the country."
CONTACT: Dawn Hanson, 216.229.5220, dawnhanson@thefairmountgroup.com
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