Ohio History
Ohio Reach improves
post-secondary outcomes for foster care youth and alumni through leadership,
empowerment, advocacy, research and networking (L.E.A.R.N.)
Highlights of Ohio Reach through the years
- 2009, 2010, 2011: Ohio Reach Summits brought together an average
of 150 targeted professionals each year, half in child welfare and half in
higher education, to build knowledge and partnerships to better support
transitioning youth. The 2011 and 2012 summits were fully supported with
an anonymous donation.
- Jan. 2012: Ohio Reach representatives were a
part of Statewide Regional OASFAA
Meetings to highlight pertinent opportunities for transitioning students and
pair them up with financial aid experts at college campuses statewide.
- Casey Family Programs has donated numerousvaluable
materials for use by both higher education and child welfare professionals
in Ohio to prepare, connect and supporttransitioning
youth in college.
- More and more Ohio colleges and universities are identifying Foster
Youth Campus Liaisons that have developed greater awareness of needs and
possible resources for transitioning youth – currently 13 Ohio campuses
have identified liaisons.
- Spring 2013: Ohio Reach is granted funding from the Ohio
Attorney General Office through the Mortgage Settlement Grant Office for 5
years.
- Aug. 2013: Ohio Reach hires William M. Murray, IV as the
organization’s first full-time employee.
- Oct. 2014: Ohio Reach combines with Connecting the Dots to
host a statewide conference for current and former foster youth. The
conference also included caseworkers and college professionals. The
conference brought in 600 participants total.
- Spring 2015: Ohio Reach awards funding to 4 colleges to implement mentoring programming for
foster youth on their respective campuses.