Carlin Culbertson, Advocate of the Year, 2022

We are thankful for Carlin’s Board service and leadership here, however, his nomination and selection is for his good and faithful service in the name of advocacy for the triad and child welfare outside of his volunteer Board service with us.  

Carlin provides steady and sustained leadership and advocacy in the greater community on behalf of children and young adults impacted by foster care and adoption.  

Carlin currently serves on the Great Lakes Ohio Regional Child Abuse and Child Neglect Prevention Council. As a part of the council, he works to distribute funds across different regions of Ohio to prevent child abuse. He was also recently made Chair of the Ohio Trust Fund Parent Advisory Council, which will meet to provide feedback to improve Ohio state agencies' services to children and families.   

In 2015, Carlin was asked to be a part of the Cleveland community leaders that interview applicants to the Sullivan-Deckard Scholars program at the Pratt Center at Cleveland State University, making decisions on scholarship awards and program acceptance. The Sullivan-Deckard Scholars program provides an opportunity for former foster youth to pursue an undergraduate degree with support. Carlin also donates his time to meet with each Sullivan-Deckard student before they graduate to answer financial questions they may have, such as how to get a car loan or establish good credit.   

Additionally, Carlin and his wife Megan are also foster parents and advocate publicly for individuals to become foster parents for children in need.  

Carlin, thank you for your work on behalf of at-risk adopted and foster care children, making a significant difference in the lives of youth in foster care and alumni. Congratulations!