Ohio Youth Advisory Board

Thursday, January 16, 2014at Quest Business Center:

8405 Pulsar Place, Columbus OH 43240

• We exist to be the knowledgeable statewide voice that influences policies and practices that effect all youth who have or will experience out of home care.

OHIO YAB Mission

2014 Ohio YAB Officers

• Allissa Mitchell, President, Stark County

• Dominique Jefferson, Vice President, Cuyahoga County

• Charles Scott, Media Spokesperson, Franklin County

• Destiny Hayes, Treasurer, Lucas County

• Dorothy Dodson, Parliamentarian, Lorain County

• Jessika Cowart, Co-Secretary, Allen County• Elisa Aguilar, Co-Secretary, Lucas County

OHIO YAB Officers Retreat

OYAB Moving Forward in 2014: Outreach and Policy

Three Focus Areas:1. Youth voice on

discussions of Foster Care to 21

2. Outreach strategies for counties that don’t have a local Youth Advisory Board

3. YAB promotion and involvement in

conferences this year.

OYAB Moving Forward in 2014: Housing

Focus Areas:1. Kick-off for youth taskforce on

housing in Cincinnati2. Exploring transitional housing

partnerships3. DC trip: Planning ahead for

conversations with HUD4. Reviewing outputs from JFS

Housing taskforce: Is there an existing list of Housing Best Practices in Ohio?

5. If not, make one.

OYAB Moving Forward in 2014: Education

Three Focus Areas:1. Supporting Ohio Reach

Campus Liaison training

2. Promoting Best Practices for Custodial Agencies to Support Youth’s Educational Success

3. Educational Mentoring Model: (a.) middle school mentee, (b.) high school/college

advisor, (c.) adult mentor

OYAB Moving Forward in 2014: Youth Voice in Court

Upcoming Opportunities:1. Legal Symposium being

planned for 2015

2. Multiple law school presentations in 2014

3. Ohio judges meet twice ayear, in June and December

4. Expanding pilot of youth developed discharge form

OYAB Moving Forward in 2014: Independent Living

Moving forward in 2014:1. Compile and share youth

input about IL challenges, Best Practices and recommendations for the future

2. Is ODJFS pursuing the creation of a statewide IL curriculum? If so, how can we ensure youth input?

OYAB Moving Forward in 2014: Workforce

Inviting input:1. Find out more about the

Summit County Career Club.

2. Asking Lucas County for more details about how their IDA program, in the hopes that other counties will follow their example.

Morning Brainstorming Topics1. Telling Our Story: How has being part of a youth advisory

board benefitted you? What are your ideas for OHIO YAB Outreach in 2014? ~ facilitated by OHIO YAB Co-Secretary Jessika Cowart

2. Your Current /Future College Experience: What has been most helpful? What were your biggest challenges? What do you recommend to support current/former foster youth pursuing post-secondary education? ~ facilitated by OHIO YAB Media Spokesperson, Charles Scott

3. Foster Care to 21: Welcoming your thoughts, insights and suggestions ~ facilitated by OHIO YAB President Allissa Mitchell and Vice President Dominique Jefferson

4. Youth Voice in Court: What things do you wish their judge/CASA/GAL would have asked or done? ~ facilitated by OHIO YAB Parliamentarian Dorothy Dodson

New and Good: Because the challenge of the moment

is the opportunity of the future

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Feb. 8, Kick-off for Foster Youth Advisory Committee on Ending Youth Homelessness in Cincinnati

April 17, Ohio Youth Advisory Board Quarterly MeetingApril 27 – May 1, Three Days On the Hill

June 12, SW Connecting the Dots ConferenceLate June, Purple Project Conference

July 17, Ohio Youth Advisory Board Quarterly MeetingJuly 25, Teening Up for Success Conference

Oct. 16, Ohio Youth Advisory Board Quarterly MeetingOct. 17, Connecting the Dots and Ohio Reach Conference