Additional Information and Resources
What do I need to become a foster parent?
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. For more information about the requirements to become a foster parent check out this website.
More Information Here
Ohio Foster, Kinship and Adoption Care
The Ohio Foster, Adoption and Kinship Care website offers a tremendous amount of information and resources for anyone interested in starting their journey to caring for a child in need to supporting those currently providing care to children.
https://fosterandadopt.jfs.ohio.gov/adoption
Video: “Removed, My Story Part 1”
This video https://vimeo.com/73172036 is a brief video that tells the story of fostering from a child's eyes.
Video: “Remember My Story Part 2”
This video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1fGmEa6WnY is a brief video that tells the story of fostering from a child's eyes.
Ohio Kinship & Adoption Navigator (KAN)
This website https://ohiokan.jfs.ohio.gov/ is a flexible and responsive kinship and adoption navigator program designed to assist children, caregivers and families statewide.
The Northwest Ohio Regional Training Center
The Northwest Ohio Regional Training Center is committed to providing high quality, culturally-responsive, family-centered job-related training in; Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood, and Wyandot counties. http://www.ocwtp.net/index.htm
The Northeast Ohio Regional Training Center
The Northwest Ohio Regional Training Center is committed to providing high quality, culturally-responsive, family-centered job-related training in; Ashland, Ashtabula, Columbiana, Geauga, Holmes, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Media, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull and Wayne counties. http://www.ocwtp.net/NEORTC.htm
Parenting Resources
Bold Beginnings is a website to support families looking for child care options, parenting tips, or resources for a healthy pregnancy, this page offers resources to meet your needs. https://boldbeginning.ohio.gov/families
Finding Child Care
Finding the right child care program is one of the most important decisions a parent can make for their child. Whether the choice is between a program close to home or work or somewhere in-between, a center based program or family child care home, a half-day or full-day program or a program that teaches a foreign language. The choices can be endless. That is where the Child Care Resource Center can help, with a birds-eye view and established relationships with all of the licensed program is in Erie, Huron, Lorain, Sandusky and Seneca Counties.
Search for Child Care Here
Selecting Child Care
Choosing child care is one of the most important decisions that families make. High quality child care in the early years can make a positive difference for the future of your child. Making a thoughtful decision now will help your child develop the skills needed to be successful in school. Finding good child care requires an investment of your time. Compare your choices and ask plenty of questions. https://ccrcinc.com/parents/selecting-childcare.html
Connecting With Other Parents
Connecting with other parents through meaningful conversations, parents work to; opening up to a bigger social circle, learn how to bounce back or be resilient, gaining knowledge of child development and parenting, accessing supportive services and learn how children communicate and express feelings. https://ccrcinc.com/parents/supports.html
Car Seat Safety
The Ohio Child passenger Safety Program educates parents and guardians on child passenger safety.
https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/child-injury-prevention/child-passenger-safety
Cribs
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Bureau of Maternal, Child and Family Health is partnering with Cribs for Kids® and local organizations throughout Ohio to provide Cribettes® and safe sleep education to eligible families (while quantities last). Cribettes® are certified as being compliant with Consumer Product Safety Commission standards, and are part of a safe sleep kit that also includes a fitted sheet and safe sleep educational materials. In order to receive a kit, eligible families must also receive education provided by their local program. In this session, the parent/caregiver(s) receives important education on infant safe sleep practices and how to properly use the Cribette® for their baby. https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/maternal-infant-wellness/media/cribs-for-kids
Common Abbreviations
It can be difficult to understand all of the acronyms. Attached you will find a list of acronyms to support you as you journey through the process of becoming a foster parent.
http://www.ocwtp.net/PDFs/Trainer%20Resources/Acronyms.pdf
Are you concerned about the safety of a child?
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has launched 855-O-H-CHILD (855-642-4453), an automated telephone directory that will link callers directly to a child welfare or law enforcement office in their county. Reports can be anonymous. https://jfs.ohio.gov/ocf/reportchildabuseandneglect.stm
