Foster Parents
The Ohio Department of Job and Family
Services (ODJFS) oversees Ohio’s foster care system. If you are
interested in becoming a foster parent, you must be licensed by ODJFS
through your county public children services agency (PCSA) or a private
agency certified by ODJFS to approve and recommend foster parents. ODJFS
licensing staff inspect a sample of each agency’s foster homes
periodically.
When a PCSA determines that a child can no longer
live safely in his or her own home, a local court may give custody of
the child to the agency, which then places him or her in a substitute care setting. Agencies typically first try to place the child with family members, family friends or neighbors. This is called kinship care. If kinship care is not an option, the agency will place the child in a licensed foster home. For more information about this process, click here.
Foster
parents care for children until a court decides that they can return
home safely or that they should be placed with adoptive parents or legal
guardians. Foster parents often work directly with the child’s parents.
They teach them skills and encourage them. They also are expected to be
active and involved in the child’s case. This means attending court
hearings, school meetings and functions; providing routine
transportation for the child; and communicating regularly with
caseworkers and service providers.
Most children return to their
parents or another relative within a year, but sometimes it takes
longer. By becoming a child’s foster parent, you agree to care for the
child as long as necessary. Foster parents often continue to encourage
and support the child and family after the child returns home.
Becoming a Foster Parent
Being a foster parent is a serious but
rewarding commitment. To become a foster parent, you must meet all the
requirements listed below. A caseworker will conduct a home study to
make sure you are prepared to be a foster parent and meet all the
general requirements. The caseworker also will identify your parenting
strengths. You must complete pre-placement training as part of the home study process.
Throughout your time as a foster parent, you will receive continued
support and guidance from your caseworker and the child-placing agency.
General Requirements
- You must be at least 21 years old.
- At least one person in your home must be able to read, write and
speak English, or be able to communicate effectively with both the child
and the agency that placed the child in your home.
- You may be single or married.
- Your household must have enough income to meet the basic needs of the child and to make timely payment of shelter costs.
- You must be free of any physical, emotional or mental conditions
that could endanger the child or seriously impair your ability to care
for the child.
- A licensed physician, physician’s assistant, clinical nurse
specialist, certified nurse practitioner or certified nurse-midwife must
complete and sign a medical statement for you and each member of your
household. You can find the required form here .
- Everyone over 18 living in your house must never have been convicted
of – or entered guilty pleas for – any offenses defined in Ohio Revised
Code section 5103.0319. Some exclusions may be found in Ohio
Administrative Code rule 5101:2-7-02.
- A certified state fire safety inspector or the state fire marshal’s
office must inspect your home and certify that it is free of hazardous
conditions.
- You must complete all required pre-placement and continuing training.
Foster families receive subsidies to help
meet children’s daily living needs. Contact your county agency for more
information. Children in foster care are eligible for medical coverage
through Medicaid.
If you are interested in becoming a
foster parent, call (866) 886-3537 and select option 4, or visit your
local PCSA or private agency. You can find a list of Ohio’s PCSAs by
visiting http://www.pcsao.org/membership/agency-directory and clicking on “Contact PCSA.” You also can visit the Ohio Children's Alliance website for a list of private agencies.
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