Northeast Ohio Adoption Services
A “foster parent,” also known as a “foster caregiver,” provides a safe, temporary, supportive, and nurturing environment for foster children.
Foster parents make a significant difference in the lives of at-risk children and families. Their deep compassion and willingness to remain committed to a child in difficult circumstances help children heal from trauma. Foster caregivers create an atmosphere of love, safety, and support for children and adolescents.
Foster parents are responsible for meeting a child’s basic needs, such as food, clothing, medical, mental health, and shelter. Providing a safe environment for children to grow and learn is also important. Foster caregivers should provide a safe environment for children to cope with complex emotions.
Services and information
- Traditional Foster Care
- Specialized / Therapeutic Care
- Emergency Foster Care
- Respite Foster Care
- Adoption
- Other
Requirements to become a foster parent
After deciding to foster, make sure your household members are on board with what will be a life-changing decision to foster. Then, educate yourself about Ohio's requirements for foster parents. Applicants who want to foster or adopt in Ohio must:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Live in a safe and stable home
- Meet home safety requirements
- Clear a background check with fingerprinting
- Provide at least three character references
- Provide ample space for a foster child in their house or apartment
- Attend foster parent orientation
- Take part in required hours of foster parent training
- Maintain financially stability
- Prove good health
- Complete the Home Study process
To apply or ensure you meet the prerequisites, there are two primary Ohio state resources. Contact the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) or a local Public Children's Service Agency (PCSAs).
If you are ready to learn more, contact a local child-placing agency to schedule foster parent information orientation. At orientation, aspiring foster parents learn more about foster parenting responsibilities, navigating the foster system, and the foster application process. If you have questions, orientation is an excellent opportunity to ask questions and meet other potential foster families.
Administrative paperwork can take some time to complete, but having everything prepared will ensure it goes smoothly. It will help the process move along if you gather financial documents ahead of time. These include tax filings and paystubs, which you will need to show as proof of financial stability.
Foster parents in Ohio must also attend 24 hours of pre-service foster parent training. This training teaches foster families about the trauma experienced by all foster children. It also covers how to provide general and specialized care to foster children.
Ratings and Reviews
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Aug 25, 2023
Friendly staff, easy to work with. The amount of training they provided is above and beyond what my wife and I have ever been afford in other counties let alone states.
Dec 29, 2019
I love NOAS! They helped us find our son and adopt him! Can't wait to adopt more kids through them!
Nov 01, 2019
Excellent employees. Very knowledgeable. They share that knowledge in an easy to understand lesson. They are not high pressure sales people. They dont for e you to go with their program. They are genuinely concerned with getting the children placed first and foremost.
Aug 27, 2017
Great place to find committed and caring foster and adoptive parents