The Ohio Grandparent/Kinship Coalition
(OGKC) is an organization consisting of
kinship caregivers, kinship caregiver
advocates and agencies throughout Ohio.
Congratulations OGKC On a Successful 3rd Bi Annual Kinship Conference "Healing Hearts – Kinship Care"
The 3rd Bi Annual Statewide Conference was held on Friday, September 9, 2011 at the Embassy Suites North in Columbus, Ohio. There were over sixty registered participants that attended the conference. Among the participants were kinship caregivers, kinship navigators, educators, and social workers all were eager to learn about resources that will assist families.
The keynote speaker was Senator Charleta Tavares. The Senator’s keynote address was focused on on the benefits of good partnerships. She encouraged those in attendance to become familiar with representatives on both sides of the office. Senator Tavares was the first African American democrat female to serve in the state legislature from Franklin County and the first African American woman to serve in a leadership position in the Ohio General Assembly.
The following workshops were offered: A Healthy Diet Promotes Success in Children, Parents Rights in Special Education, Understanding Your Child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP), Grandmother Study: Intergenerational Caregiving to Youth, The Dangers of Text Messaging, and Overview of NAMI (National Association of Mental Illness).
The Ohio Grandparent Kinship Coalition acknowledged the following individuals and organizations for their commitment to kinship families: Michael Colbert - Ohio Department of Job and Family Services; Rita Sororen - Dave Thomas Foundation; Crystal Ward – Public Children Services Association of Ohio; Senator Charleta Tavares and Ron Browder- Chair Kinship Advisory Board. A special recognition was made in memory of John Misko a dedicated kinship caregiver and a member of OGKC as well as a good well wish was made to Barbara Harvey. In addition, the OGKC conference planning committee acknowledged the hard work of the leadership,
Co Presidents, Dionne Simmons and Jamie Richardson.
The Ohio Grandparent Kinship Coalition would like to thank the following sponsors: Ronald Browder, Benjamin and Barbara Turpin & Family, ActivStyle, Powers Family, Sigma Iota Zeta Amicae, Franklin County Office on Aging, Public Children Services Association of Ohio, and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
KPI remains in Ohio budget !
Thanks to all who contacted legislators and encouraged them to keep KPI in the state budget! If you have experienced a disruption in your KPI payment contact your county Children Service Agency for additional information.
OGKC Purpose:
- Educate kinship caregivers and agencies regarding state and national programs /issues affecting kinship caregivers
- Advocate at local, state and national levels for support of kinship families
- Provide a networking system for caregivers and agencies
- Link caregivers with services in their communities
- Connect new kinship care programs with speaker’s bureau
- Conduct statewide conferences
