With teenagers gathered in the sunshine, colorful tinsel and balloons and Kendrick Lamar and Jack Harlow booming from the speakers, it was much like any other party for high school graduates this summer – except this party was thrown by Hamilton County.
Hamilton County Jobs and Family Services saw its largest ever group of high school graduates in foster care this year. Ninety-seven students graduated and the agency feted them on June 4 at Maple Ridge Lodge in Mount Airy Forest.
“We want to celebrate them the way any graduate should be celebrated,” Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus said. “We want to let them know that we support them and want them to succeed.”
How many Hamilton County children are in foster care?
Hamilton County currently has custody of above 2,100 children said Jane Prendergast, Jobs and Family Services spokesperson. Roughly 20% are 16 and older.
The agency has held graduation celebrations for 27 years. Prendergast said the number of children in the county’s custody has increased in recent years.,
The graduates include Nathan Cornist, a 19-year-old who attended virtual high school through Cincinnati Public Schools and plans to go to trade school for welding.
“I’m very happy to be here,” Cornist said.
Mariah Myers, the oldest of her seven siblings, graduated from Withrow High School last month. She will attend Xavier University in the fall and plans to major in psychology with a minor in business.
Her ultimate goal?
“Law school and a doctorate in psychology,” she said.
Students in foster care had a 95% graduation rate from Cincinnati Public Schools
Eric Young leads the agency’s Kids in School Rule program, which works to maintain stability for children in county custody who attend public schools.
Young said each student in the program has an assigned education specialist who advocates for them. The goal is to ensure students can continue attending the same school even if their foster placement changes, reduce time out from school because of discipline and increase the graduation rate.
The program’s students have a 95% graduation rate at the largest district in the program, Cincinnati Public Schools, and a 100% graduate rate at Winton Woods City School District and Northwest Local School District, Young said.
“The program gives kids the tools they need and the ability to be independent,” Young said. “It’s about setting them up to be successful adults.”
Regional politics reporter Erin Glynn can be reached at eglynn@enquirer.com, @ee_glynn on X and @eringlynn on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hamilton County foster care sees largest ever high school graduating class
Reporting by Erin Glynn, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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By Erin Glynn, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
