Leadership skill development assists young people in and from foster care in preparing for their future, and increases the likelihood of positive outcomes post-emancipation. The ultimate vision of the OHIO Youth Advisory Board is for young people in each of Ohio’s 88 counties to have opportunities to have a voice. 

OHIO YAB Online Toolkit:

A.) Board Structure:    
1.) Sample Youth Leadership Retreat Schedule
2.) YAB Membership Requirements
3.) Constitution: Name, Mission and Vision of Board
4.) Membership Form
5.) Strategic Plan, and Action Steps
6.) Code of Conduct, including an Internet Policy
7.) Officer Roles and Responsibilities
8.) Officer Elections Ballot
9.) Protocol for Requests to Present at a YAB meeting
10.) Protocol for Youth Panel Requests
11.) Stipend Program
12.) YAB Funding FAQs

B.) Role of Adult Supporters:  
1.) Youth Serving Vs Empowering
2.) Engaging Foster Youth and Alumni
3.) Comparison Table
4.) Coaching and Mentoring Activity
5.) Growth Cycle of Youth Advisory Boards
6.) Sample Excuse Letter for youth to participate in leadership activities
7.) Sample DC Training Packet

C.) Officer Training and Development:        
1.) Officer in Training Application
2.) OHIO YAB Icebreaker Balls
3.) Strategic Sharing
4.) Conflict Resolution Skills Activity
5.) Professional Development Plan for Youth
6.) Leadership Styles Activity
7.) Communication Exercise
8.) Public Speaking Practice
9.) Circle Diagram
10.) Sample Resume
11.) Identity Diagram

D.) Outreach Strategies:   
1.) Meeting Schedule
2.) Seeking out teens and young adults who might be interested
3.) Outreach to group homes
4.) Reaching out to Agency Directors to get their support

E.) Youth Empowerment by Staying Informed
1.) Learning about different agencies and how they work (including acronyms)
2.) Information about new Laws and regulations that may affect youth in care
3.) How a State Bill Becomes a Law
4.) Legislative Process – Tree Swing Diagram
5.) Knowing about existing resources, such as the Foster Youth Rights Handbook

F.) Providing Peer Support for Other Youth
1.) Breaking down the Do’s and Don’t’s about Being in Care
2.) How to Navigate the System, including chain of command
3.) Life Skills
4.) Contacts: Who to Call
5.) Resources (Housing, Job, Higher Ed)