Deanna J. Speaks!

Introduction: Deanna Jones, M.P.A., is a professional speaker and coach who is passionate about using her voice to impact youth, women, and families and the staff who serve them. Her speaking topics include, but are not limited to: Foster Care Empowerment Self-advocacy Short- and long-term planning for life, college, and career Leadership Development Goal-setting Leadership skills cultivation Resilience and motivation for staff serving youth, women, or families Entrepreneurship Assessing the best place to start The Importance of forward thinking Identifying and utilizing resources College preparation Financial aid College transition College retention First-year blueprint for success Socioemotional Confidence and self-doubt Advocacy Imposter syndrome Resilience Deanna’s experiences as a foster youth made her feel that her voice meant nothing. Having been on overlooked and written off as another statistical failure after becoming a teen mother, Deanna realized something had to change. Despite being a teenage parent, after leaving high school and getting her G.E.D, Deanna graduated from The Ohio State University with her Bachelor's of Science in Social Work (while raising an autistic child and another child), quickly obtained her LSW, and went to work for the agency that once helped her in her youth, where she worked for over 11 years, supporting hundreds of youth and their families in the process, eventually earning a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration. She’s used her expertise in policy to contribute to her previous agency through leading initiatives to streamline processes and systems to allow caseworkers to work more efficiently. Over the years, as a result of her own experiences, she has cultivated her voice to be a passionate advocate for youth, women, and children. Having set on both sides of the table as a foster child and then years later as a caseworker is a rare and valuable experience very few possess. This experience has caused her to be a featured panelist and sought after speaker for a number of organizations and agencies. She understands the extreme circumstances that some of our most vulnerable populations face. At just 16 years old, Deanna was maintaining her childhood home with two younger siblings and two children of her own while her biological parents were in and out of the home. Nationwide, only about half of the youth raised in foster care end up finishing high school, and less than 3% graduate from a 4-year college. Not only does Deanna have a college degree, but she has also used the same resilience and strength she teaches others to graduate with her Master’s Degree, owning her own home before the age of 30, and opening her first brick and mortar business early in 2019. A few of Deanna's previous clients include: -The Table Gatherings -CASA in Athens County, Ohio -Marvelous Faith Ministries Presents GirlTalk -Action Ohio Panelist on housing/preparation for youth aging out of foster care