In 2024, the OHIO YAB and ACTION Ohio planned and facilitated a Leadership and Life Skills Summit for Current and Former Foster Youth, with support from the Ohio Children’s Alliance, the Department of Children and Youth, and the Dave Thomas Foundation.

The event was focused on informing and empowering Ohio teens and young adults with a foster care history (ages 14-24). Here’s a link to the Event Program.

There was a learning track for with CEUs for adults who transport youth. Adults were required to transport youth in order to be eligible. Attendees received a VIP badge with a QR Code to resources, such as the Ohio Youth Ombudsman, ETV, colleges and universities that have been awarded Ohio Reach Certification, etc.

Date: Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Time: 9 am – 4 pm
Location: Crowne Plaza Columbus North Worthington, 6500 Doubletree Ave., Columbus OH 43229

Registration was free but required:

Lived Experience was prioritized in Event Planning and Facilitation:

• In the spirit of youth leadership, every workshop included youth voice in the development of content to be presented.
• Nine of the 11 workshops were co-presented by current or former foster youth.

Event Schedule:

• 9:00 am – Arrival: Beverages, Snacks
• 9:30 am – Opening Session: Welcome and Purpose of Event
  Value of Recognizing Your Leadership Strengths and Leadership Style
• 10:00 am – Breakout Session A
• 11:00 am – Breakout Session B
• Noon – Lunch
• 1:00 pm – Breakout Session C
• 2:00 pm – Breakout Session D
• 3:00 pm – Informal Youth Speakout: Participants reconvened to debrief about the day, their experiences and what they learned
• 4:00 pm – Departure

Suits for Success: One room was set aside for Suits for Success. There were volunteers on hand to show youth how to tie their first tie. Young people in and from foster care were able to keep the professional clothing to wear as needed for job interviews and other important life events.

Youth Activities included icebreaker balls and working on shirts.

Youth Workshops:

• Creating and Maintaining Healthy Relationships ~ Olena S. Miller, LPCC., MS., MA., foster care alumni
• College and Financial Aid Resources ~ Nikki Chinn, foster care alumni, and Lucy Flowers
• Ohio ETV ~ Amanda Davis, foster care alumni, and OHIO YAB Youth Ambassador Erik Ezekiel
• Job Interview Role Plays and Resources ~ Jeremy Collier, foster care alumni, and Kristin Camac
• Introduction to Finances ~ Dedra Porter, Leave a Legacy Always
• Leadership: The Power of Effective Communication – OHIO YAB Ambassador Raven Grice and foster care alumni Dauntea Sledge
• OHIO YAB Youth Workshop on Leadership – OHIO YAB Youth Ambassadors Mattie Harrod and Sharvon Horace
• Supporting Youth With Identity Development (this workshop invited both adults and youth) – Ruth-Ann Jones-Thompson, foster care alumni

Adult Workshops:

• Power Struggles and De-Escalation Strategies ~ Jaye Turner, foster care alumni
• Supporting Youth with Identity Development (this workshop invited both adults and youth) – Ruth-Ann Jones-Thompson, foster care alumni
• Exit Plans and Resources ~ Deanna Jones, foster care alumni
• Transitional Housing – FosterHub, Hope Landing, Lorain County and Moab House ~ moderated by Kim Eckhart

Resource Tables (16):

• Bridges
• CCMEP
• CSCC- Scholar Network
• Department of Children and Youth
• El’lesun
• Emerge Emancipation Program
• ESSA
• ETV funds
• iFoster
• JobCorps
• Kaleidoscope Youth Center
• Leave a Legacy Always
• Ohio Medicaid
• Ohio Reach
• Youth Navigator Network
• Youth Ombudsman Office

Planning Committee:

• We are deeply grateful for each individual for their help in planning behind the scenes
• ACTION Ohio members
• OHIO YAB members (current and former)
• Organizational allies of Ohio foster care youth and alumni
• Individual allies of Ohio foster care youth and alumni

These shirts were shared as a workshop supply for participating youth, to encourage them to consider their leadership strengths, and how to continue to develop those capabilities.