Meeting with HUD Senior Leadership regarding FSHO implementation

Link to more photos.

Letter to HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge.

Two more years of support will provide a longer runway to achieve success

Ohio foster care youth, alumni and allies previously worked incredibly hard to convince the state of Ohio to extend foster care supports to 21. Since its inception in 2017, Bridges has has served 3,195 young adults. 

During the pandemic, extended foster care supports are needed more than ever before. Between Feb. 1 to Sept. 30, 2021, annual enrollment increased by 97%.  

The OHIO YAB and ACTION Ohio are currently compiling testimonials to ask our state to extend supports for two more years, until age 23.

2022 Youth Ombudsman testimony

Pictured with
Senator Cecil Thomas and Senator Teresa Fedor
of the Senator Judiciary

Link to more photos.

On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, we were able to provide testimony for House Bill 4, related to the establishment of a Youth Ombudsman. 

Proponent testimony was shared by: 

• Juliana Barton, ACTION Ohio
• Todd Brooklyn, OHIO YAB
• Kim Eckhart, CDF-Ohio

Testimony was also provided by Kristi Burre of the Governor's Children's Initiative, during which she mentioned that: 

• The independent Ombudsman Office is an important first step in listening to the youth voice and using it to inform policy changes and programs. 
  
  
• We are committed to this continued partnership with our youth advocates. 

• In discussions regarding the Ombudsman Office, youth shared they felt disconnected from resources and needed help navigating the children services system. 

• As a result, ODJFS has begun exploring ways to stand up a youth navigator program, which will support youth by answering their questions and providing information about the children services system. This program will complement the Ombudsman Office in a variety of ways.  

FSHO's national implementation

 

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE IMPLEMENTS FSHO.

The Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act (FSHO) was written by foster youth and alumni from ACTION Ohio, NCHCW, and Congressional Champions led by Rep. Michael Turner of Ohio and Rep. Karen Bass of California.  FSHO offers a platform for youth to build economic self-sufficiency. 

Recommended Characteristics of a Future Youth Ombudsman

On Jan. 4, 2022, the OHIO YAB, ACTION Ohio and Children's Defense Fund~Ohio met with ODJFS to discuss the experience, education and characteristics of the future Youth Ombudsman.

In 19-year-old Todd’s words: “This is an office that should not be taken lightly. This is an office that I wish I had when I was younger.

ACTION Ohio in December 2022 ODJFS First Friday

 

Thanksgiving Together 2021

By Lisa Dickson, Communications Chair, ACTION Ohio

Those of us who have experienced foster care firsthand know that the holidays can be a painful reminder of lost connections. That’s why ACTION Ohio works with our allies each year to host early Thanksgiving dinners for foster care teens (ages 14+) and alumni (ages 18+).

This annual celebration began in 2007 and has continued ever since. As former foster youth ourselves, we want our brothers and sisters of the system to know that they always have a seat at the table for Thanksgiving. Due to ongoing complications related to COVID, we were only able to host one statewide Thanksgiving Together event this year.

The event took place on Sunday, Nov. 14, in Columbus.

• We had over 200 RSVPs.

• My Very Own Blanket donated 200 handmade blankets, as well as pillowcases, teddy bears, and infinity scarves.

• Project PASSION, as facilitated by El'lesun and the Fostering Achievement Network, made clothing items available to participants, with support from the Ohio Children's Alliance.

• Youth received lanyards attached to flash drives that were pre-loaded with resources to support their transition into young adulthood.

• Every youth participant received a gift card in the raffle this year.

One of the most powerful moments during the event was when a young man who is currently homeless gave a speech praising Star House. He invited staff members to stand and be recognized. He then asked participants to raise their hands if they are currently or have ever been homeless. The plethora of hands raised throughout the room underscored the urgency of supports to support foster youth in their transition into young adulthood.

Message of Encouragement

These quotes are just as true on Christmas Eve as they are during the Thanksgiving Together events when foster care youth and alumni designed these messages of encouragement for others: