Cleveland State University offers a unique scholarship opportunity for youth who are aging out of foster care or have experienced foster care. The Sullivan-Deckard and Helen Packer Scholarship Opportunity Programs are one-of-a-kind in the state of Ohio as they provide a “comprehensive system of support” for foster alumni to succeed.

As part of Adoption Network Cleveland’s public policy agenda, we’re focusing on advocating for and supporting the creation of a foster care ombudsman program in Ohio. This program would help ensure the well-being and safety of children and youth in foster care. Ombudsman offices operate as a neutral complaint resolver designed to investigate complaints and make recommendations in a non-adversarial setting. During his campaign, Governor Mike DeWine listed creating a foster care ombudsman office among his top child welfare priorities along with increasing funding in this area among other systemic changes.