Need-to-know resources for current/former foster care youth in Ohio

Here in Ohio, we are exploring way to create a future phone app for foster care teens and young adults, to connect them with available resources.

During our July 2017 statewide OHIO YAB meeting, participants, including our statewide Board President, talked about how having a phone app to access information, by category, in the moment of need/crisis, would be beneficial.

In the meantime, these are the resource lists/tools that we have compiled so far:

1.) Statewide Resources for Foster Youth

2.) Statewide Resources Grid   (listed in the order that the specific requirements for the provision of independent living services to youth in custody was listed in Ohio Administrative Code: 5101:2-42-19)

3.) OHIO YAB Foster Youth Rights Handbook (edited by Alexander McFarland)


4.) Independent Living Roadmap and Toolkit (draft created by Michael Outrich)

5.) Franklin County Resources for Foster Youth

Ohio House Bill 448: Advocating for Sibling Visitation

Update: Ida Yarngo of Franklin County was excited to to participate in the recent interested parties meeting that Representatives LaTourette and Boyd hosted on Tuesday, January, 16, to introduce HB 448: Sibling Rights Legislation.

Ida shared that when she came to the United States from Liberia, everyone and everything that she had ever known was now literally a continent away. And the one familiar comfort to her was her brother. And then she was separated from that connection as well. When that happened, Ida felt incredibly alone.

She was honored to have the opportunity to meet with the legislators who are championing this legislation, and to thank them for standing beside her to improve policy regarding this important issue.    



The current wording of Ohio House Bill 448 defines a sibling as:

• Someone who "shares at least one biological or adoptive parents, or has been raised in the household as a sibling."

It is important that this definition remains broad, because:

• When families break down, relationships become complex and complicated.
• Sibling relationships might include biological siblings who were relinquished or removed at birth, half-siblings, step-siblings or current/former foster siblings.
• Not all couples are married, so a sibling could include: "Mom's ex-boyfriend's daughter."

It will also be important for the wording to remain firm in order to truly make those sibling connections HAPPEN:

Research demonstrates that the sibling bond is stronger between brothers and sisters from dysfunctional families. In abusive and/or neglectful families, it is common for siblings to nurture and protect one another. When parents are neglectful or abusive, older siblings often voluntarily take on a quasi-parental role.

Quote from a Time Magazine article about "The New Science of Siblings:"

• “From the time they are born, our brothers and sisters are our collaborators and co-conspirators, our role models and cautionary tales, our protective barrier against family upheaval.
• "They are our scolds, protectors, goads, tormentors, playmates, counselors, sources of envy, objects of pride. They teach us how to resolve conflicts and how not to; how to conduct friendships and when to walk away from them. Sisters teach brothers about the mysteries of girls; brothers teach sisters about the puzzle of boys.
• "Our spouses arrive comparatively late in our lives; our parents eventually leave us. Our siblings may be the only people we'll ever know who truly qualify as partners for life.”

2017 ACTION Ohio Planning Retreat

Link to more photos.

Remembering Charlotte Osterman

Charlotte Ostermann is gone, but she will never be forgotten.

It is because of Charlotte, that an ad hoc committee began meeting in April 2008, in order to empower the voices of foster care alumni as trainers for the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program. Charlotte's sweet and gracious spirit is matched by a stubborn determination.

She never gave up, and it is because of her that several foster care alumni involved in ACTION Ohio are OCWTP trainers today.

The seeds that Charlotte planted are why foster care alumni have been empowered to help write the training curriculum for the Bridges program. She always saw the value of foster care youth and alumni voice.

#ForeverRemembered

Thinking of you on Thanksgiving

ACTION Ohio ~ Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now

It’s Thanksgiving Day, and what I am most thankful for is having the chance to celebrate regional early Thanksgiving dinners with my brothers and sisters of the foster care system. We hope you were able to make it, and be a part of our celebrations. We want you to know that you are welcome to stay in touch with us all year.

Leadership Opportunities

We encourage young people ages 14-24 to get involved in their local youth advisory board. There are also statewide opportunities for leadership coming up in 2018. Please consider filling out the OHIO YAB Officer in Training Application.

Video Opportunities

Three separate times, during three different early Thanksgiving dinners, a young person began crying because they said they had finally found a foster parent who believed in them. Ohio needs foster parents for teens, and host homes for young adults. Please look over, and promote the OHIO YAB Video Project Application.


DC Advocacy in 2018

We are currently working behind the scenes to finalize the date for our sixth annual Three Days on the Hill. Ohio youth voices over the past five years have led to Representative Michael Turner proposing the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act. It’s time to end the Foster Care to Homelessness Pipeline.

Statewide Resources

We want our statewide family of those in and from foster care, and our allies, to know that you matter. We want you to know about every resource available to support your success.

Higher Ed?    We hope you know about filling out the FAFSA as an independent student, applying for ETV funds, and reaching out to Ohio Reach regarding campus supports.

Legal Help?   FYAC is a fantastic (and free) resource. They can help track down your foster care records, assist in landlord-tenant disputes, and so much more.

Healthcare?  We hope you know that former foster youth are eligible for free Medicaid until age 26. You can call their hotline at 1-800-324-8683.


Lisa Dickson
Communications Chair
ACTION Ohio
Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now
www.fosteractionohio.org

2017 Central Thanksgiving dinner

Link to additional photos.

The 2017 Central Ohio Thanksgiving Dinner took place in Columbus: 

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017 
• Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm 
• Location: eStem Academy, 8579 Summit Road, Reynoldsburg OH 43068
  *Part of Reynoldsburg High School's Summit Campus 

Event Sponsors:

• Stonybrook United Methodist Church 
• E-merge Real Estate 
• Reynoldsburg City Schools, including the Leo Club 
• National Council of Jewish Women, Columbus Section 
• Junior League of Central Ohio 
• Kay's Catering
• Starfish Alliance 
• United Methodist Children's Home 
• Half Price Books 
• Dave Thomas Foundation 
• My Very Own Blanket 
• Alina Walker, CASA

Planning Committee: 

• Lisa Dickson, Jamole Callahan, and Doris Edelmann, Deanna Jones, Ruth-Ann Jones Thompson, ACTION Ohio
• Ann Bischoff, Star House

2017 SE Ohio Thanksgiving Dinner

Link to additional photos.

The 2017 SE Ohio Thanksgiving Dinner took place in Athens: 

•  Date: Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017 
• Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm 
• Location: Ohio University, Grover Center 

Event Sponsors:

• Kiser's BBQ 
• Ohio University 
• Athens County CASA 
• Athens County Foster Parent Association 
• Athens County Children Services 
• ACTION Ohio 
• Fairfield County Children Services 
• My Very Own Blanket 

Planning Committee: 

• Jenny Stotts, Athens County CASA 
• Michael Outrich, Lisa Dickson, Jamole Callahan and Doris Edelmann, ACTION Ohio 
• Lisa Seitz, Athens County Children Services 
• Stephanie Jackson, Fairfield County Children Services