Crucial Conversations - Advocacy is full of them

 

Youth Leaders Discuss Safety Concerns for Cuyahoga County Youth

Councilwoman Yvonne Conwell

On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, Cieria Roman, Raven Grice and Lisa Dickson participated in a virtual meeting with Councilwoman Yvonne Conwell and Policy Advisor LeVine Ross to discuss safety concerns related to Cuyahoga County youth, especially those that have been spending the nights in the Jane Edna Hunter building on a regular basis since 2018.

This was preceded by a prior meeting with Councilman Dale Miller, during which he recommended that we speak with Councilwoman Conwell.

Ohio youth leaders shared their concerns and recommendations, and how important that it is to have foster care youth and alumni at the table. Because it is our lived experience that brings a sense of urgency. Today's youth and young adults often come up with creative solutions that others might not think of...

As Cieria said, “We come ready, we come with our hearts, we come with solutions. These are our brothers and sisters and this is our legacy.”

We also shared:

• Raven's written testimonial about the need for Independent Living Departments

• The work that the OHIO YAB has done on Life Skills Training 

• The videos created by Jewel Harris and Marissa Alcorn and her chosen family to recruit foster parents for teens, and Kelsie’s three part video about What It’s Like to Be a Teen Mom in Foster Care and What Teen Moms in Foster Care Need From Their Foster Parents and that Teen Moms in Foster Care Have Rights and Resources

Councilwoman Yvonne Conwell followed up by sending a message of thanks, and some ideas for next steps forward. 

Ohio Foster Care Youth and Alumni Advocacy in 2023

In 2022... 

• Ohio's very first Youth Ombudsman's Office was created. 

• Ohio foster youth helped design a training pathway to aid foster parents in supporting youth with Life Skills and the essential elements of interdependence. 

• Ohio youth leaders created a three-part video series to support teen moms in foster care, and shared insights about the ICCA form, CANS assessment and Tiered Foster Care. 
  
  

2023 will be a year of continued advocacy for...

• Concrete supports for former foster youth after the age of 21.

• Better safeguards for youth who run away from abusive situations, and continued conversations with the Cuyahoga County Council.

• Hosting a Self Care Summit for current and former foster youth.