Measuring Transformation: Elevating Youth Voice in the Child Welfare System
April 14, 2022
Earlier today, Kim Eckhart was joined by foster youth advocates Deanna Jones and Laila-Rose Hudson to share CDF-Ohio’s latest report, Measuring Transformation: Elevating Youth Voice in the Child Welfare System.
This new report shows that Ohio ranks in the bottom 10% of the nation on four measures of wellbeing for youth aged 21 who were in foster care in their teens. It analyzes data from 2018 that shows Ohio’s youth are less likely to graduate high school or get their GED, obtain employment, or be enrolled in school and more likely to be justice system-involved compared to their peers in other states. It also highlights perspectives from youth, shares data showing where we are as a state, and gives recommendations for how we navigate toward a better future for children. It also features data profiles on child welfare indicators for all 88 Ohio counties.
Review the Webinar Slide Deck for Measuring Transformation where the report’s author and advocates with lived experience in foster care share how we can make Ohio a place where all of our children can thrive and have a voice in the policies that impact their livelihoods.
Featured Speakers:
• Kim Eckhart, KIDS COUNT Project Manager, Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio
• Deanna Jones, MPA, BSSW, LSW, Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio Consultant
• Laila-Rose Hudson, JD pending May 2022, Child Welfare Advocate