Foster care is temporary care provided to children lasting from overnight to a year or more. Children are removed from their homes when they are abused, neglected or are identified as being dependent, and their parents are unable to care for
them safely at the time of placement. If no relative is available or identified, children are placed on a temporary basis with foster parents. Priority is placed on keeping children in their own neighborhoods, schools, and with their siblings.
Foster parents are part of a professional team and asked, when appropriate, to work with biological families to promote effective reunification. When reunification is not possible or in the best interest of the children, the Court grant the
agency permanent custody of the children, and they become available for adoption.
The Need
Homes are needed for children of all ages. There is always a critical need of homes for teens, sibling groups, emergency care homes, and foster families who will also consider adoption of children of all ages. Foster parents work together with
the caseworker to meet the needs of the child placed in their home.
Qualifications
Many of the qualifications are the same for foster and adoptive parents. To become a licensed foster parent, you can/must be:
- Married, single, divorced or widowed;
- With or without children of your own;
- A renter or home owner;
- 21 years or older;
- Employed or a stay-at-home parent – as long as your income is adequate to meet your household needs;
- Committed to caring for children;
- Able to accept children as they are;
- Able to provide support and be a strong role model of positive family life.
The Process
- Complete the required training. Sessions are offered during evenings and weekends. If you are married or have a domestic partner, both of you must complete the training.
- Complete a home study with a social worker.
- Provide a list of references and financial information.
- Criminal Records checks will be done on all adult household members.
For more detailed information, please see please see the PROCESS TO BECOME A FOSTER OR ADOPTIVE PARENT page.
Available Support
Children Services provide the following support to foster parents:
- Personal support from the Foster Care Coordinator
- Ongoing training
- Support groups
- Respite care
- Monthly board checks
- Mileage reimbursement for out of county medical appointments
Inquiry
Please direct all foster care and adoption inquires to:
Foster Care Coordinator
Phone: (740) 772-7617
Process to Become a Foster/Adoptive Parent
At Children Services, there is a multi-step process to become a licensed foster or foster-to-adopt parent. As a foster-to-adopt parent, there are three additional steps you must complete to adopt a child placed in your care. The length of time it takes to complete either process is six to twelve months. The process is outlined below.
- Step 1 – Make an Inquiry
Families or individuals interested in foster care and adoption can contact Children Services by calling the Foster Care Coordinator at (740) 772-7617; by mailing a request to Foster Care Inquiry, 150 E. Second St.
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601 or in person. A complete information packet is mailed to you.
- Step 2 – Complete the Required Pre-Service Training
Attendance at pre-service training is mandatory. You learn basic knowledge about foster care and adoption, agency policies, and the roles of foster and foster-to-adopt parents during the required 36 hours of training. In addition, the sessions
enhance your understanding of and sensitivity to a foster/adoptive child's situation, needs, feelings and strengthens your parenting skills.
- Step 3 – Fill Out an Application
All prospective foster and foster-to-adopt parents are required to fill out and submit an application.
- Step 4 – Have a Home Study Completed
The home study is jointly done by an assigned Licensing Specialist and the prospective foster/adoptive family. The purpose of the home study is to explore the family or individual's history, characteristics, family dynamics, ideals, values,
strengths and parenting styles that would lead to be a successful foster and foster-to-adopt placement. You can discuss the race, age and gender of children when available, information regarding any specific care or special needs as well as the
child's initial clothing needs.
Foster Parent Training
In order to become a licensed foster and/or adoptive parent, an individual is required to attend pre-service training. The training program is 36 hours and offered in Ross County in the Spring and in the Fall. Pre-Service training takes place
at our Children's Services location, 150 East Second St. Chillicothe, Ohio. Please contact (740) 772-7617 for additional information.
Foster and Adoptive Recruitment Activities
Children's Services is committed to recruitment of parents to meet the need of our children. Staff members are willing to present information about the programs at your club, organization, church or event. Please contact the agency to request
a speaker. The agency does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion or sexual orientation.
Post Adoption Services
Children Services offers a number of post-adoption services. These services are open to anyone who has adopted through the agency or lives in Ross County (PASSS applicants must live in the county in which they apply for PASSS funds).
Post-adoption services can be accessed by contacting Erin Reuter at (740) 772-7625 or reutee@odjfs.state.oh.us. Below is a short description of the post-adoption services available:
- Information, Support and Referral: Adoptive parents can contact the agency to talk with a post-adoption specialist. Information about adoption issues and parenting can be shared. Adoptive parents who feel overwhelmed or frustrated
often feel relieved when they discover that there are other families experiencing some of the same challenges as them as well as finding that there is help available. The post-adoption specialist can refer the family to professionals in the
community who have experience in working with adoptive families.
- PASSS (Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy): PASSS is a state funded subsidy program that provides families with funds for services that help maintain children in their adoptive homes. Examples of services that may be covered by
PASSS include counseling, attachment therapy, respite, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Families who reside in Ross County and have an adopted child under the age of 18 are eligible to apply for PASSS. Families living outside of Ross
County should apply for PASSS funds in their county of residence. The application process can be initiated by contacting Erin Reuter. Funding is approved for the entire State Fiscal Year (July 1 - June 30) so families must reapply for funding
each State Fiscal Year.
- Support Groups: A list of adoption support groups in the area is available upon request.
- Other Subsidies: State and Federal Maintenance subsidies provide a monthly stipend to families. These are meant to assist with the cost of adding an adopted child to the family. These subsidies are available to many families that
adopt waiting children through Children Services. A Nonrecurring Adoption Expenses Subsidy is meant to help with one-time expenses directly related to the legal adoption of a child with special needs (ie: court costs, transportation costs,
etc.)
Post Adoption Inquiries:
Adult adoptees adopted through Children Services may request non-identifying information about their pre-adoptive history and their birth families. For more information regarding this type of request contact Erin Reuter at (740) 772-7625.
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