Youth Navigator Network (YNN)

The Youth Navigator Network (YNN) helps Ohio’s youth and young adults who have been in care or recently transitioned out of care navigate systems, access resources, and build an expanded network of connections and support.

YNN is specifically available for youth and young adults up to 23 years old in Ohio who have had an open case with children services, have lived in a group home, are in or have been in foster care, or have aged out of care.

Young people can reach out to 1-833-OHIO-YNN for resources and assistance, either as a one-time request or for continuous support. You can talk one-on-one with a YNN Navigator about challenges you’re facing or opportunities you’re striving for. The Navigator will meet you where you are, listen first, and offer direct help as when possible. There are many resources that may be helpful to you that you may not yet know about, or are having trouble accessing. YNN has an extensive resource hub complete with specific resources that may be available to you that a Navigator can help you access directly.

Areas YNN can be most helpful with include:

• Basic needs
• Food and shelter
• Health and wellbeing
• Housing access
• Family and relations
• Job and career
• Legal and financial
• Forms and vouchers
• School and education
• Parenting and childcare

The Youth Navigator Network is made possible by a combination of support, capacity, and leadership from Kinnect, OhioKAN, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley is a site partner, with a full-time Youth Navigator on staff.

Please note that the YNN Navigator line is not a crisis line; if you are experiencing a crisis, please call 911 or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor 24/7.