Extend Supports to Foster Youth Through Age 21

The Issue

To give Ohio's foster children a fair chance at leading successful adult lives.

Ohio Association of Child Caring AgenciesPetition StarterExecutive Director of OACCA

Media inquiries

Victory

This petition made change with 7,717 supporters!

The Issue

To give Ohio's foster children a fair chance at leading successful adult lives.

Ohio Association of Child Caring AgenciesPetition StarterExecutive Director of OACCA

Media inquiries

Victory

This petition made change with 7,717 supporters!

The Decision Makers

Nina Turner

Responded

“Thank you for writing to me in support of extending Ohio’s foster care age limit from 18-years-old to 21-years old. The input and sentiment of concerned citizens such as you is highly valued by legislators, as it sheds new light upon ongoing challenges and presents new ideas on how to best address them. As an advocate for children, I am entirely empathetic to the thousands of teenagers in foster care who have been forced out of the system when they may not be quite prepared for an independent life. For many kids, a foster family is the only true support system they have ever experienced, and the current limit does not allow many of these young people time to become economically self-sufficient before these supports are removed. In addition to maintaining a safe and supportive family environment as children grow into responsible adults, research demonstrates that allowing children to remain in foster care until age 21 decreases future costs to taxpayers by encouraging educational attainment, and provides these young adults a sturdier foundation from which to grow. In Washington, youth enrolled in foster care through age 21 attended college for a longer period in the first two years after high school graduation, received food stamps for fewer total months, and were less likely to be arrested than those not enrolled until age 21. The positive outcomes saved taxpayers $1.35 for every dollar spent on the program, studies show. Thank you again for writing to me about this important issue. It is critical that our democracy have a base of committed activists such as you, who are civically aware and willing to take steps to affect change. All the best, Nina Turner”

Nina Turner

Responded

Former State Senate,

5 Members

Ohio

Joseph Schiavoni

Former State Senate - Ohio-33

Larry Obhof

Former State Senate - Ohio-22

Eric Kearney 2

Former State Senate - Ohio-9

Joseph Schiavoni