On any given day, over 22,000 children are living in foster families or in another out-of-home placement setting. These children, who reside in the custody of local children service agencies, may be dealing with issues of past abuse, neglect, and/or dependency. These children need families available to them through adoption. Each year in Ohio, more and more faces of these children turn to us looking for an answer.

Many of the children available for adoption are considered special needs because they are of an older age, part of a siblings group, and/or have physical health, mental health, emotional health, and developmental problems. Some children labeled as special needs may face behavioral and attachment problems which can place challenges on adopting families. Families looking to adopt are encouraged to explore their support system and seek services when issues arise throughout their adoption experience. All of Ohio's waiting children are in need of families that can provide a loving, stable, and secure home for a growing child.

A family is the most important thing a child can have. Every child has a right to a permanent family - a family where they can be loved, cared for, and kept safe. Unfortunately, in Ohio many waiting children do not have a family to call their own. If you are interested in adopting a waiting child and would like more information on adoption and adoption agencies/resources, call Ohio's Help Me Grow Hotline at 1-800-755-GROW (4769) to receive the Ohio Adoption Guide. This educational adoption guide is designed to assist individuals and families interested in learning more about the adoption process.