“Today marks an important milestone for Ohio that was three years in the making. We are grateful to the Governor and Ohio General Assembly for their overwhelming support,” said Mark Mecum, chair, Ohio Fostering Connections and executive director of the Ohio Association of Child Caring Agencies. “Together, we can now implement a program that will change the status quo and give young Ohioans better opportunities to succeed.”
Each year, more than 1,000 Ohio youth “age out” of foster care at age 18. The bill includes a package of programs to help these young people prepare for college or a career, as well as transitional housing options, including apartment programs, campus housing, and foster and host homes.
Officially, the bill will become a state law — the Ohio Fostering Connections Act — in 90 days. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will receive an appropriation of $550,000 to fund its year-long implementation planning effort.
Implementation of the extended supports to foster youth is expected to occur in about 18 months. The implementation funding will be appropriated in the next biennial budget.
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