In their December 2017 Report, compiled by the  Public Children Services Association of Ohio, over 15,510 children were in care in July of 2017 as compared to 12,654 in July of 2013.  Of those children in foster care, 28% are younger than 4 years old.  At Ohio’s current rate of increase in the need for this care due to the opiod epidemic, it is estimated that as many at 20,000 children will be in care by 2020.  There are currently only 7,200 licensed foster homes.  In Ohio, 50% of the children taken into custody in 2015 had parental drug use, and 28% had parents who were using opiods at the time of removal.

Foster care is temporary care given to a child who cannot remain in his home due to abuse or neglect.  Safety is the primary reason that children may be removed from their biological family by the State.  The need in Ohio has never been greater.  When a child is removed, temporary custody of the child is given to the public children services agency.  The child’s assigned caseworker will work hard to attempt to place the child with a suitable relative for placement, or a suitable non-relative with whom the child or family has a relationship. If neither of these are available, the agency with place the child with a licensed foster family.

If a child cannot be reunified with their biological family, the court will grant permanent custody to the agency.   When this happens, the foster child will become available for adoption.   Foster parents often adopt the children that have been in their care.

Foster families offer care and a loving home environment while working with the agency and the biological parents to facilitate successful reunification with their child if at all possible.  Foster parents can also offer respite care, or a temporary break for other foster parents.

You can download the PCSAO December 2017 report on the Opiod Epidemic’s Impact on Children Services in Ohio

Foster parents care and are needed for children of all ages, but currently there is an increased need for foster parents willing to care for newborns and toddlers, sibling groups and teenagers.  In Ohio, a foster parent may be married, single, divorced or widowed, male, female, with or without children of your own, a renter or home owner, employed or a stay-at-home parent.

To become a licensed, you must be 21 years or older, able to show your household has an income sufficient to meet the basic needs of the household; and able to provide support for a positive family life.

To learn more about becoming a foster parent, please contact Warren County Children’s Services.  You can also download the Steps to Becoming a Foster Parent, and Interested in Foster Care Brochure.

A listing of all Ohio public children services agencies can be found at the following website: http://www.pcsao.org/membership/agency-directory.