Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio Testifies in Support of a Foster Youth Ombuds Office
Today, our colleague, Kim Eckhart testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of HB 4. This legislation would create the an Ohio Youth Ombuds Office that would be an advocate for youth in foster care and work to enforce their rights.
Senate Judiciary Committee
HB 4 – Proponent Testimony
January 25, 2022
Kim Eckhart, CDF-Ohio
Chair Manning, Vice Chair McColley, and Ranking Member Thomas, I would like to take this opportunity to provide testimony in support of House Bill 4 as amended by #134-2057-02, which reflects the vision of the Ohio Youth Ombudsman Coalition. My name is Kim Eckhart and I work with the Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio, a statewide nonprofit organization which serves as an independent voice for all children. Our mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. This mission led us to become a participant of the Youth Ombudsman Coalition.