Events Calendar

fcaa_header_102

fcaa_header_202

fcaa_header_302

Ohio News

Importance of Alumni Voice

Foster care alumni represent a formerly invisible population. We are the consumers of the child welfare system - and listening to our voices will provide child welfare professionals with insights that are not available elsewhere.

As adults, we have had time to reflect upon our experiences and make sense of them. We emerged from the foster care system with the passion to dedicate our lives to making a positive difference, and this desire has often dictated our professional careers.

Because of our personal and professional experiences, we are uniquely aware of the challenges faced by young people in and from foster care. We have first-hand knowledge what it is like to age out of care and navigate the adult world.

Workshops We Offer

Foster care alumni serve as role models that former foster children can overcome challenges and lead successful adult lives. We are Mothers Without Mothers and Fathers Without Fathers. We have built successful adult relationships for ourselves.

Our chapter includes representatives from the Casey Foundation and Orphan Foundation of America. We are happy to share resources for young people aging out of care.

1.) Invite us to present about the history and mission of Foster Care Alumni of America.

2.) Learn from us how young people can handle the after-effects of trauma, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

3.) We are available to guide young people in and from foster care so that they can share their stories strategically and to help them develop their writing and speaking skills

4.) We also provide a workshop for young people about how they can create a life management plan and build a circle of restorative relationships in their lives...

We welcome you to contact us and take advantage of the insights we have to offer!

Upcoming Workshop Presentations

Footsteps to the Future , May 21 - 23, 2008

At the 11th annual foster parent conference sponsored by the Daniel Memorial Institute, Lisa Dickson will be presenting a keynote address titled: Life Without Limits:
Exceeding Expectations of Former Foster Care Youth.

One Vision, Many Voices , May 27 - 30

The 17th annual Colorado Child Welfare conference and the 8th annual Colorado Judicial Issues conference have been brought together in one conference by the Colorado Summit on Children, Youth and Families. Lisa Dickson, Amanda Dunlap and Amanda Keller will present a workshop titled: Demystifying Emotional Resiliency.

Previous Workshop Presentations

OACCA Advocacy conference, March. 4 - 5, 2008

During OACCA's 11th annual conference, members of the Ohio chapter presented as part of the Youth Panel, and Doris Edelmann and Lisa Dickson were both awarded the Virginia Colson award.

This award is given to individuals whose continued service to families and children exemplifies the qualities of Virginia Colson, the founding Executive Director of OACCA, whose passionate and tireless effort to build and strengthen quality services to children and families has been nationally recognized.

Quote from OACCA's web page: "This year’s recipients, Doris Edelmann and Lisa Dickson, are chosen for their dedication and outstanding advocacy to meet the needs of youth in care in order to achieve successful adulthood. Their work is never ending, and neither is the love they have for the youth they serve."

Ohio Child Welfare Training Program , March. 3, 2008

The Institute for Human Services is a nonprofit agency that manages the statewide Ohio child welfare training for ODJFS. At the annual training in 2008, Lisa Dickson and Amanda Dunlap will co-present a workshop titled: Emotional Resiliency: Putting the Pieces Together Before and After Foster Care.

CO-OP Youth Advocate Services, Feb. 29 - March 1, 2008

At the third annual conference orchestrated by Youth Advocate Services, Lisa Dickson, Amanda Dunlap and Amanda Keller will co-present two workshops titled: Creating a Life Management Plan and Developing the Skills Necessary to Emotional Survival. Conference's attendees will be private agency foster parents.

On Our Own, Ensuring Success for Youth Transitioning Out of Care, Oct. 19, 2007

During Ohio's first statewide independent living conference, Lisa Dickson and Cece Norwood co-presented a workshop for youth and professionals titled: Finding Your Balance: Overcoming Trauma to Build Healthy Relationships. The conference's 250 attendees included youth, alumni and social work professionals from across the state.

It’s My Life Conference, Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2007

Lisa Dickson, Amanda Dunlap and Amanda Keller presented a workshop for youth and professionals titled: Overcoming the Impact of Trauma on Adult Relationships and Achieving Intimacy.The conference’s 700 attendees included youth, alumni and social work professionals from across the nation.

Ohio Family Care Association Statewide Conference, June 14 - 16, 2007

Gayle Loyola, Lisa Dickson, Amanda Dunlap and Angelina Sanches presented a series of youth workshops. Lisa Dicksona and Amanda Dunlap also presented a workshop for foster parents titled: Overcoming Trauma and Achieving Intimacy.

Ohio Family Care Association Statewide Conference, 2006

Lisa Dickson was their lunchtime keynote speaker. She and Gayle Loyola presented two youth workshops, with Gayle focusing on teenagers while Lisa led a program for younger children.