Fostering Pathways to Success: A Conference for Transitioning and Emancipated Foster Youth and Supporters 

Conference Registration: 8 am to 9 am
Conference Program begins at 9 am

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and Ohio Reach network invite you to join us on Friday, October 17, 2014, in Columbus, Ohio, for the 2014 Fostering Pathways to Success conference. This dynamic one-day conference will offer meaningful learning and networking opportunities for young adults ages 15 to 21 who are or were formerly in foster care. Workshops also will be offered for campus liaisons/professionals, workforce program professionals, foster parents and caseworkers. The conference will combine both the annual Ohio Reach Summit and the annual Connecting the Dots from Foster Care to Employment and Independent Living Conference to help improve social, educational and employment outcomes for young people in foster care.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Terrell L. Strayhorn. Dr. Strayhorn is a professor of Higher Education, African American and African Studies, Education Policy, Engineering Education, Public Policy, and Sexuality Studies at The Ohio State University. Dr. Strayhorn maintains an active and highly visible research agenda focusing on major policy issues in education, including student access and achievement, equity and diversity, impact of college on students, and student learning development.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Current and Former Foster Youth, Higher Education Professionals, Child Welfare Professionals, Technical School Professionals, Legal Professionals, Government Administrators, and Foster Youth Advocates.

*For Adults Only - By registering for the 2014 Conference, you give the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and Ohio Reach permission to use your photograph in future publications.

Sessions for Foster Youth and Alumni will include:

 

• High School Success
• Navigating College Deadlines
• Healthy Relationships
• Health Clinic
• Suits for Success
• College Survival
• Job Interview Skills
• OhioMeansJobs Resume Clinic
• Apprenticeship Career Demonstrations
•  College Fair

 

Sessions for Adults will include:

• Best Practices in Higher Education
• How to Identify Pathways for Youth
• Orientation of New Campus Liaisons
• Transition from Foster Care to College
• Understanding Permanency and Independent Living
• Educational Training Vouchers
• Youth Crisis Scenarios
• Housing Options

 

For Additional Information, Contact: 

William Murray IV - Ohio Reach Coordinator, william@pcsao.org or

Alice Worrell - Connecting the Dots Project Manager, Alice.Worrell@jfs.ohio.gov

Register Now! 

Connecting the Dots from Foster Care to Employment and Independent Living is an initiative sponsored by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The goals are to:

• Dramatically improve educational, employment and earnings outcomes for young adults who have experienced foster care,
• Better support their transition to adulthood,
• Prevent and reduce the incidence of early pregnancy, 
• Break down program and funding silos for more effective cross-system services.

Ohio Reach improves postsecondary outcomes for foster care youth and alumni through leadership, empowerment, advocacy, research and networking.