Established in 2007, the Ohio chapter continues to grow.

Our 2009 accomplishments included the following:

• Testifying before Ohio legislators, in the House, Senate and HB 1 conference committee, regarding the loss of state Independent Living Funds.
• Visiting various counties to build youth advisory boards.
• Co-hosting the youth track of the NACAC conference.
• Sharing foster care alumni insights nationally and locally, including the American Adoption Conference, DC visits hosted by Casey Family Programs and NACAC, the Ohio Summit on Children, and the 30th anniversary of Chafee funding.
• Hosting two FCAA reunions, one in Cincinnati during Foster Care Month, and one during Thanksgiving, attended by Ohio First Lady, Frances Strickland.

Our members were honored in the following capacities:

• Adrian McLemore and Cedric Riley were named 2009 FosterClub Outstanding Leaders.
• Doris Edelmann received the 2009 Brother Ray Fitz Award.
• Lisa Dickson received the FCAA Volunteer of the Year Award for Transformation
• The Ohio chapter was nominated for a national award based on our advocacy efforts.

Please visit our website at: www.fcaa-oh.org or our blog at: http://ohiofostercarealumni.blogspot.com/ to learn more about our chapter, or email us at OHchapter@fostercarealumni.org

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Here in Ohio, we are holding three FCAA Thanksgiving reunions this fall to reach for foster youth and alumni in the SW, NE and Central/SW parts of our state. To learn more, please visit: http://ohiofostercarealumni.blogspot.com/

The Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America greatly appreciate the sponsoring organizations that made last year's Thanksgiving event possible, and the press representatives who shared our message with the local community:

• Congregation Agudas Achim
• Capital University Student Government
• Kappa Sigma Upsilon
• Jewish Student Organization of Capital
• Catering By Scott
• Franklin County Children Services
• ODJFS
• Columbus Dispatch
• 10-TV
• Fox News

We also would like to thank Ohio's First Lady Frances Strickland for taking time out of her busy schedule to attend and participate in the 2009 FCAA Ohio Thanksgiving gathering of current and former foster youth from all across Ohio.