2010 NE Ohio Independent Living Summit

The 2010 Northeast Ohio Independent Living Summit, sponsored by Stark County Children Services, took place on Friday, October 29, 2010, from 9:00 am-4:00 pm at First Christian Church, 6900 Market Avenue North, Canton, OH, 44721.

This event was dedicated to “Supporting Success for Youth Transitioning From Foster Care.”



Supporting Organizations included: Stark County Children Services, OACCA, Foster Care Alumni of America Ohio chapter, Adoption Network Cleveland, Community Care Network, Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services, Family and Community Services of Portage County, Institute for Human Services, Lorain County Children Services, Lowery Training Associates, Lucas County Children Services, Mahoning County Children Services, Montgomery County Department of Job and Familiy Services, Pressley Ridge, Starr Commonwealth, and Voices for Ohio’s Children.

Special 2010 PCSAO Volunteer Recognitions

  Left to right: Lisa Dickson and Paula Kyle, both foster care alumni

Over the years, Lisa Dickson has been such a wonderful and fresh force in the world of child welfare. Her tireless energy and willingness to promote the cause of better policy, practice and supports for our foster children an youth has been unparalleled. Lisa has particularly invested in supporting our youth in their higher educational pursuits, facilitating the Ohio Reach activities.

In her role as FCAA-OH Communications Chair, Lisa actively spreads the word that there are other foster alums, and welcomes participation by all – in fact she is coordinating three Thanksgiving Dinners this year, to be held regionally so more youth and adults can attend and enjoy. And of course Lisa has provided much insight to professionals about the trauma of foster care, and how to tap into the resiliency and potential of our youth.

Finally, many youth have felt personal value, worth and confidence due to Lisa’s personal interaction with them, and it has allowed them to do things they might not have had the courage to do without your support.

Paula Kyle first contacted PCSAO to review a manuscript she was in the process of getting published – sounded like Hollywood activities. On the Edge of Unthinkable is an engrossing page turner about the author’s experience in foster care.

And the perspective was a surprise – it was not a heartbreaker over the tragedy of the child welfare experience, but an inspiration through the light shown on those child welfare professionals and a loving foster family who made the difference in this person’s life.

Many of you will remember Judith Goodhand, who started as a child welfare worker in Knox County, spent time at Lucas Children Services, was later the Director at the Cuyahoga County agency, before serving as a national consultant with the Annie E. Casey Foundation – she is featured fondly in this story.

Thanks to Paula Kyle, many child welfare professionals realize the value of their work, and the importance of excellence and dedication to see that every child and youth we touch has permanent and sustaining connections. Paula has since become a speaker in great demand, her book has had multiple printings, and it has been drafted as a screenplay. I guess it may be Hollywood time after all!

2010 FCAA Ohio Thanksgiving(s)

Every year, Foster Care Alumni of America's Ohio chapter holds a Thanksgiving event for foster care youth, alumni, adult supporters and ally organizations.

This November, we are holding THREE Thanksgiving events:

• To overcome transportation barriers, so that more foster care youth/alumni can attend
• To continue building up regional networks to Connect & Transform
• To truly hold a statewide celebration that reaches as many foster care youth and alumni as possible

1.) SOUTHWEST OHIO THANKSGIVING

The Southwest Ohio Thanksgiving will take place in Cincinnati:

• Sunday, November 14, 2010, from noon - 3 pm
• The Phoenix, 812 Race Street, Cincinnati OH 45202
  

Lead Facilitator: Amy Roberts
Sponsors include: Cincinnati Works, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Bob Mecum of Lighthouse Youth Services and Richter & Phillips Jewelers

2.) NORTHEAST OHIO THANKSGIVING

The Northeast Ohio Thanksgiving will take place in Cleveland:

• Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010, from 1-3 pm
• Antioch Baptist Church, 8869 Cedar Ave., Cleveland OH 44016

Lead Facilitator: Zelma Brown
Sponsors include: Cuyahoga County Children Services, Village Network

3.) CENTRAL/SOUTHEAST OHIO THANKSGIVING

The Central/Southeast Ohio Thanksgiving will take place in Columbus:

• Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010, from 1-5:30 pm
• Schneider Multi-purpose Room, 1 College & Main, Capital University, Bexley OH

Lead Facilitator: Gabriel Koshinsky
Sponsors include: Capital University ROTC: Crusader Battalion, Kappa Sigma Upsilon, Village Network, Starr Commonwealth and Franklin County Children Services.

Please stay tuned for additional details....

2010 FCAA Thanksgiving Sponsors

The Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America greatly appreciates the many sponsors who have stepped forward this fall to make ALL THREE Thanksgiving events happen!

• Ohio CASA provided decorations for all three Thanksgiving events.

•  Village Network co-sponsored both the NE and Central Thanksgivings

• The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's generosity made the SW Thanksgiving venue possible.

• Cincinnati Works continues to take the leadership role in supporting the Cincinnati subchapter of Foster Care Alumni of America, including contributing the SW Thanksgiving event.

• Stay tuned for additional information about our fabulous sponsors....

Cleveland Foster Care Alumni and Allies

Seanine Cook, an Independent Living caseworker with Cuyahoga County Child and Family Services, was recently awarded 2010 Ohio Child Protection Worker of the Year by the Public Children Services Association of Ohio.

Along with two Cuyahoga County foster care alumni, Tone Frierson and Romero Smith, Seanine recently participated in the following radio interview:

Kuhlman, Mary. Entering Adulthood a Lonely Road for Hundreds of Ohio Youth. Public News Service: Ohio, October 11, 2010.

2010 Judicial Teleconference on Youth Voice in Court

Agenda:

• Introduction of Topic and Panel Members
• Magistrate shared the history of youth involvement in court and how this plays out in practice
• Foster Care Alumni Panel
• Questions from the audience

Youth Panel Questions:

1. Please tell us a little bit about your experience in foster care…
2. Were you able to attend one/more court hearings? If so was it helpful? Were you prepared ahead of time?
3. If not, what was it like not knowing what goes on in court? What information about your case did you want the judge/magistrate to know?
4. How is hearing from youth in person different from hearing from their CASA or caseworker?
5. What would you tell a judge or magistrate who was on the fence about including youth in hearings?

Additional Questions:

a.) Are all hearings equal, or are some hearings more important than others? (i.e. placement decision/change in case/general review with no change)

b.) Should they make exceptions based upon:

• The child’s age?
• What a young person wants?
• If they think the child/teen isn’t emotionally ready?
• If the logistics are inconvenient? (long drive for adult/long wait for child)
• Whether or not the court is kid-friendly? (or teen-friendly)

Superintendent Delisle quotes Alex McFarland

The Office for Exceptional Children held their annual Special Education Leadership Conference yesterday afternoon and Superintendent Deborah Delisle provided the keynote address.

In her closing, she mentioned that she had come from a meeting with the OFCF Cabinet Council, where she heard from an amazing youth who had previously been in foster care. She proceeded to share Alex McFarland’s story as an example of the difference that one teacher can make in the life of a child, especially one that others may have overlooked or given up on.

Kara Waldron of the Office for Exceptional Children relates:

"Alex’s story was truly an inspiration to our crowd of more than 1,700. We are grateful for the work that he continues to do on behalf of Ohio’s youth. Without Alex McFarland, Adrian McLemore, and their counterparts, we might forget the meaning behind our efforts."