The Ohio Youth Advisory Board held its statewide quarterly meeting on January 19, 2023. The agenda included discussing the board's mission to influence policies impacting youth in out-of-home care, the creation of Ohio's first Youth Ombudsman Office in 2022, and a video series on teen mothers in foster care. The board also reached out to the county council regarding youth spending nights in a building and proposed creating a life skills pathway for caseworkers similar to one created for foster parents. Potential topics for brainstorming included draft infographics, marketing materials for the Bridges program, caseworker training ideas, and sharing resources with youth.
2. We exist to be the knowledgeable
statewide voice that influences policies and
practices that impact youth who have or
will experience out of home care.
OHIO YAB Mission
4. OHIO YAB Ambassador Kelsie’s three-part video
series on Teen Moms in Foster Care is complete
5. The OHIO YAB has reached out to the Cuyahoga
County Council regarding youth spending nights in
the Jane Edna Hunter Building
6. Youth have proposed following up on Life Skills
pathway designed by youth for foster parents by
creating one for caseworkers
7. Brainstorming Topics
1. Draft Infographics from the Department of
Developmental Disabilities
2. Bridges: Draft marketing materials and how
Bridges workers can prepare young adults to
“age out” of the Bridges program
3. Caseworker Training Ideas: What do
caseworkers of teens need to know?
4. Resources Matter: Best ways to share
resources with youth, and why hands-on
support still matters after age 21.
Life Skills: Essential Elements of Interdependence – A Learning Pathway for Resource Families was created by the Ohio University Consortium for Child and Adult Services (OUCCAS), in collaboration with the Overcoming Hurdles in Ohio Youth Advisory Board (OHIO YAB) and ACTION Ohio.
Courses and activities within this professional development pathway will help foster parents and kinship caregivers gain necessary knowledge and skills to assist youth skill development, which will promote a successful transition to interdependence.
Youth voice has been, and remains, key in the creation and continued development of the Life Skills Pathway. ACTION Ohio is facilitating the voices of youth in the following areas:
Identifying the Essential Elements of Interdependence
Mapping out Essential Resources for each category
Designing badges for each category, thanks to the artistic talents of Ashley Williams
Creating a Menu of Life Skills Activities for caregivers to share with youth at home
Vetting existing trainings to determine whether or not they are eligible for a training badge
Youth-approved workshops within this pathway include:
Financial Preparation and Support for Foster Youth ~ led by Cece Norwood and Michael Outrich
Getting Teens Ready for the World of Work ~ led by Anthony President
Housing Resources for Former Foster Youth ~ led by Cece Norwood and Michael Outrich
Resources and Partnership Building to Improve Post-Secondary Outcomes for Foster Youth ~ led by Cece Norwood and Michael Outrich
Tools for Takeoff: Independent Living Transition Planning ~ led by Brian and Kathy Lowery
Vital Records Access for Youth Transitioning Out of Care ~ led by Amanda Davis and Jill Roberts