Another Lobby Day in the Books—And What a Day It Was!

On Wednesday, March 11, we gathered once again at the Statehouse for our annual Lobby Day—continuing a tradition of advocacy that spans more than 30 years. What started as a commitment to showing up has grown into a powerful, collective voice for individuals, children and families across Ohio.

This year was no exception.

Together, our advocates brought energy, passion, and purpose to conversations with legislators, focusing on three critical issues:

• Fostering Sibling Connections
• Curbing Unlawful Adoption Practices
• Fostering School Success & Foster-to-College Scholarships

Each of these priorities reflects our commitment to strengthening systems and improving outcomes for those we serve. You can explore more about these issues here.

In brief, we are:

• Seeking legislative champions to help advance policies that keep siblings connected in foster care and beyond
• Building momentum behind House Bill 713, a bipartisan effort introduced in February to curb unlawful adoption practices and now under consideration in the House Judiciary Committee
• Supporting Senate Bill 13, which would establish a foster-to-college scholarship program, and House Bill 25, aimed at improving educational supports and coordination for students in foster care

Lobby Day brought together 26 trained advocates, who worked in teams to meet with 64 legislators and staff members. These meetings were thoughtfully planned, focusing on key leaders, committee members, and policymakers positioned to make an impact.

Behind the scenes, several additional staff and volunteers played a critical role in making the day a success—helping with planning, coordination, materials, and logistics. Their contributions ensured that everything ran smoothly and that our advocates were set up for meaningful, productive conversations.

And the conversations? Dynamic, thoughtful, and inspiring.

Our advocates showed up with knowledge, heart, and a shared purpose—and it made a difference. Beyond the numbers, what stood out most was the passion in every conversation and the commitment to creating meaningful change.

Here’s what some of our volunteer advocates had to say:

Lobby Day has quickly become one of my favorite days of the year. There is something incredibly powerful about walking into the Statehouse with a group of volunteers who care deeply about adoption and child welfare and knowing that our voices and lived experiences matter.

This year felt especially meaningful. Our small team spent the day balancing laughter and hard work. We dodged raindrops, misplaced a few things along the way, and connected with new people throughout the buildings. Those little moments of joy made the day memorable, but the real impact came from the conversations we had with legislators and their staff.

We met with seven offices and had thoughtful discussions about policies that affect adoptees and families across Ohio. Some representatives had already supported legislation we discussed last year during Lobby Day, while others showed genuine interest in sponsoring or helping draft bills we have been advocating for over many years. Being able to share our experiences and see how seriously they took our perspectives was incredibly encouraging.

Lobby Day reminds me that advocacy truly works. It brings together lived experience, community voices, and policymakers in a way that can lead to real change.

Thank you again for all the time and heart you put into making this day possible.

--Nikki Lewis

I felt confident and empowered with the education and information I was able to share with our government officials.  The knowledge and personal experiences I shared validated the years of hard work myself and all those involved in foster care and adoption have invested in this challenging but fulfilling field of child welfare.

--Christine Sourek

At its core, Lobby Day is about connection—bringing lived experience, community voices, and policymakers together in ways that can lead to real, lasting change.

Join Us Next Year

Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or completely new to the process, there’s a place for you at Lobby Day. We provide training and support to make sure every volunteer feels prepared, confident, and ready to share their voice—no prior experience needed.

If you care about people impacted by adoption and foster care, your voice matters. And we’d love to have you with us next year. Let us know!