Jenny Stotts, Advocate of the Year, 2022

In 2022, Ohio created a system that gives youth whose lives are touched by the child welfare system a voice and a safety net – the Youth Ombudsman. In May, Governor DeWine appointed Jenny Stotts to serve as Ohio’s first-ever Youth Ombudsman. Lisa Dickson of Action Ohio notes that “In the eyes of the child welfare community, and most importantly the youth, Jenny was the perfect choice.” 
 
Prior to accepting the Youth Ombudsman position, Jenny served as the Executive Director of the Athens County Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardian Ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Program and the Regional Coordinator of CASA in Southeast Ohio. Jenny’s professional experience also included direct practice in child protective services as a caseworker and forensic interviewer.  

Jenny Stotts is trauma informed, and exemplifies a sense of urgency as well as a commitment to system improvement. She continues to demonstrate her respect for those with lived experience and her receptiveness to youth voice by inviting their insights on the case flow process of the Youth Ombudsman Office, and their ideas on outreach and promotion. 

In addition to her professional work, Jenny continues as an active volunteer in the community. She has hosted multiple youth events, including the first Southeast Ohio Thanksgiving Dinner for foster youth and adoptees in 2015, and has continued to support the event each year as a volunteer in planning, executing, and working the event. She is a charter member and past president of the Athens Sunrise Rotary and a Make a Wish Foundation volunteer.  

Whether working as an Ombudsman or volunteering, Jenny speaks from the heart about her personal experiences with foster care, adoption, and finding family, including the ups and downs of searching for family. 

It is our honor to present Youth Ombudsman, Jenny Stotts, with a 2022 Triad Advocate of the Year Award. Thank you, and congratulations, Jenny!