National Youth Advocate Program - Ohio

05/22/2026

"Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage (AANHPI) Month is an annual celebration that recognizes the historical and cultural contributions of people of Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. AAPI Heritage Month 2026 takes place from Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 31."

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Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

05/21/2026

Full Article: https://www.nyap.org/journal/30-years-of-fostering
For more than 30 years, one couple opened their home again and again to children who needed safety, stability, and love.

Their story is a powerful reminder that fostering isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up. Creating space. Helping a child feel safe enough to trust again.

This Foster Care Awareness Month, we honor families like these and the everyday impact they make. Because sometimes the smallest moments, a laugh, a hug, a sense of belonging, can change everything.

05/19/2026

Jewish American Heritage Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the rich history, resilience, and lasting contributions of Jewish Americans. From shaping culture and advancing innovation to strengthening communities and advocating for justice, these stories are an essential part of our shared American story.

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Beginning in the 1600s when the first permanent Jewish settlers came to the New World from Brazil, our core exhibition flows chronologically as it highlights the diverse backgrounds, expectations, and experiences of Jews who first came to these shores and the generations that followed. The exhibitio...

05/15/2026

Read Article: https://www.nyap.org/journal/the-power-of-words-seeing-people-not-labels

05/13/2026

Visit nyap.org/careers to join the NYAP team where you can help make a tremendous impact on the lives of others. NYAP is hiring across the nation.

05/11/2026

Read Article: nyap.org/journal/older-teens-need-mentors
Become a Foster Parent: nyap.org/fostercare

05/10/2026

Today, we celebrate all mothers including biological mothers, adoptive mothers, foster mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, aunts, mentors, caregivers, and every woman who steps in with love, guidance, and compassion when it is needed most.

Your strength, sacrifice, encouragement, and care help children and families feel seen, supported, and valued. Whether connected by birth, choice, or circumstance, the impact of your love lasts a lifetime.

Thank you for the countless ways you nurture hope, build resilience, and create safe spaces where children can grow and thrive. Today and every day, we honor and appreciate you.

Wishing you a joyful and love filled Mother’s Day.

05/08/2026

Today, we pause to recognize the incredible foster parents who open their hearts and homes to children and youth during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Foster parenting is not easy. It takes patience, compassion, flexibility, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to helping children feel safe, supported, and valued. Behind every late-night conversation, school meeting, therapy appointment, court date, and bedtime routine is a foster parent choosing, day after day, to show up with love and care.

We are deeply grateful for the foster parents who stand beside children and families with strength and grace. You help provide stability during uncertainty, comfort during fear, and hope during healing.

Because of you, children have safe places to land while families work toward reunification and stability. Because of you, youth are reminded that they matter.

Thank you for opening your homes, sharing your hearts, and making a lasting difference in the lives of children and families across our communities.

You are appreciated more than words can express.

05/06/2026

Childhood depression can deeply affect a child’s emotional, physical, and social well being. When left unaddressed, it can impact learning, relationships, and long term health, but with the right support, children can heal and thrive.

At NYAP, our Behavioral Health services provide compassionate, trauma informed care for children, youth, and families. Early intervention and access to mental health support can make a meaningful difference.

Learn more about NYAP’s Behavioral Health services at nyap.org/bh or Dial 211 to access services for your child.
Visit nyap.org to explore additional programs and supports.

05/04/2026

May is National Foster Care Month, and at the National Youth Advocate Program, we are honored to recognize the foster parents, relative caregivers, and kinship families who provide safety, stability, and care to children and youth during times of uncertainty.

Caregivers step forward in many ways. Foster parents, relatives, and kin caregivers open their homes and their lives when children need support the most. They offer consistency, patience, and understanding, often during emotionally complex circumstances. Whether caring for a child temporarily or stepping in during a family crisis, these caregivers play a critical role in helping young people feel secure, connected, and supported.

Relative and kin caregivers provide continuity at a pivotal moment by keeping children connected to their families, cultures, and communities. Their willingness to step in, often unexpectedly, helps minimize trauma and offers children comfort through familiar relationships. Together with foster parents, they form a foundation built on care, compassion, and commitment.

The impact of these caregivers extends far beyond daily routines. Through advocacy, encouragement, and unconditional support, they help children build hope for the future. Much of this work happens quietly and without recognition, yet the positive influence lasts well beyond a child’s time in care.

During National Foster Care Month, we invite our community to recognize and thank foster parents, relative caregivers, and kinship families for their dedication. By offering appreciation, community support, or learning more about how to get involved, we can all help ensure these caregivers feel valued and supported.

From all of us at the National Youth Advocate Program, thank you to those who open their homes and hearts to children and youth. Your commitment truly changes lives.

Learn more: nyap.org/fostercare

04/30/2026

Article: https://www.nyap.org/journal/teens-experiencing-foster-care-belong-with-siblings

The end of April does not mark the end of child abuse prevention simply because it is an awareness month. Advocacy must continue year‑round, including when prevention fails. When temporary care is necessary, young people in foster care deserve to maintain critical connections to their siblings...connections that research shows support stability, healing, and a lasting sense of belonging.

Teens Experiencing Foster Care Belong with Siblings