Sightseeing and Journey Home

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Legislative Visits, Day 2

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Wednesday, March 14, 2018:

• 8:30 am - Coffee with Senator Rob Portman in Russell 447
• 10:30 am - David Scala of Congressman Jim Jordan's office (SW group)
• Noon - Catherine Wilson of Congressman David Joyce's office (NE group)
• 1:00 pm - Kevin Carson of Congresswoman Joyce Beatty's office (SW group + Jamole)
• 1:00 pm - Sarah Nasta of Congresswoman Marcia Fudge's office (NE group)
• 2:00 pm - Congressman Bill Johnson and Kelli Ripp (SW group + Jamole)
• 2:00 pm - Angelique Salizan and Shilesha Bamberg of Senator Sherrod Brown's office (NE group + Doris)
• 2:30 pm - Representative Steve Stivers (entire group)
• 3:30 pm - Representative Michael Turner
• 6:00 pm - Dinner with Casey Family Programs and discussion of the Family First Act
  

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Legislative Visits, Day 1

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Tuesday, March 13, 2018:

• 10:00 am - Rachel Schwegman of Congressman Robert Latta's office (SW group)
• 10:00 am - Shane Hand of Congressman Jim Renacci's office (NE group)
• 11:00 am - Drop by two offices: Rep. Brad Wenstrup and Rep. Steve Chabot (SW group)
• 11:00 am - Drop by two offices: Rep. Marcy Kaptur and Rep. Tim Ryan (NE group)
• 2:00 pm - Meeting with HUD (entire group)
• 4:30 pm - Meeting with Barbara Sard and Douglas Rice of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (entire group)
• Celebratory Dinner, sponsored by the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare
  

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DC Training Day 2018

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Training at hotel

9:00 am 

• Federal vs. State vs. Local Legislation
• How a Bill Becomes a Law
• Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act
• Foster Care to Homeless Pipeline

10:30 am 

• Circle Diagram
• Roles During Legislative Visits
• Legislative Visit Role Plays

Noon – Lunch

1:00 pm 

• Youth work in groups (listed below) with Flip Charts, and then report out
• Adults assist youth in preparing their talking points and framing the "ask"
  (Break)

2:00 pm 

• Preparation for HUD visit

3:00 pm 

• Preparation for meeting with Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• Questions and Answers

Blue Group (Southwest and Central Ohio):

• Youth: Sidney, Torrie, Kimberly, Kyajah and Perrish
• Adult Supporters: Doris, Stacia, Jessica and Donta (Stacia and Jessica will be asked to take photos)

Red Group (Northeast Ohio): 

• Youth: Shajuana, Fayvian, and Christopher
• Alumni Supporters: Lisa and Jamole

Photos from this year's trip to DC

Training Day
Legislative Visits Day 1
HUD, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and Ruthie's birthday
Coffee With Senator Portman
Legislative Visits Day 2
Sightseeing and Journeys Home

How will Bridges referrals work?

Below is the referral process for Bridges...

Emancipated foster youth can also refer themselves to Bridges for extended foster care supports until age 21:

• Here's the website: http://bridgestosuccess.jfs.ohio.gov/  
• Here's the direct link to refer yourself: http://bridgestosuccess.jfs.ohio.gov/get.../how-to-apply/

Another note of clarification provided by the Bridges team in response to questions received from counties:

 Q: Our PCSA has an established independent living/emancipation program. Is our agency still responsible for providing post-emancipation services through our independent living coordinator, or should we refer youth to Bridges when they contact us for assistance?

A: You must offer Bridges as an option to all young adults who will be emancipating at age 18 or older, or who already emancipated but are not yet 21, and who request post-emancipation services. If a young adult contacts you for post- emancipation services, seems to meet Bridges eligibility criteria and would like to learn more, you should make a referral to the appropriate regional Bridges agency.

However, not all young adults will meet the Bridges eligibility criteria. In addition, some will not want to enroll in Bridges, and some may need post-emancipation services during the Bridges application and approval process.

In all of those cases, OAC Rule 5101: 2-42-19.2 is still in effect, requiring you to provide independent living services to emancipated youth who request help. Ideally, these services will help them become eligible for Bridges so they can get additional supports toward independence.

Junior League SPAC (State Public Affairs Committee)

Doris Edelmann​ and Lisa Dickson met with Junior League SPAC (State Public Affairs Committee) today.

We gave them each folders, and shared the following information:

1.) Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now (ACTION Ohio)

· Our volunteer organization is dedicated to improving outcomes for current and former foster youth.

· Our initiatives include Three Days On the Hill, Suits for Success, and annual early Thanksgiving dinners for Foster Care Youth and Alumni.

· We also facilitate and support the statewide OHIO Youth Advisory Board.

2.) Foster Care to Homelessness Pipeline:

· Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act, created by Representative Michael Turner (R-Dayton), in response to our annual trips to DC for foster youth.

· Local advocacy to create a Scholar House III for foster care alumni pursuing higher education.

3.) Current and future Ohio legislation impacting foster care youth/alumni:

· HB: 448 Sibling Rights Legislation

· HB 137: Police as Mandated Reporters

· Future legislation to create a statewide Foster Care Ombudsman

4.) Bridges Implementation

· Bridges is a voluntary program available to young adults who leave foster care in Ohio at ages 18, 19 or 20 and who are in school, working, participating in an employment program, or have a medical condition that prevents them from going to school or working.

· The program supplements existing county post-emancipation services.

· Most Bridges services fall into one of the following categories: housing, education, employment and/or well-being.

5.) Questions and Answers