Foster parents can be both challenging and rewarding.The state has taken children from their natural families because of safety concerns.Children can stay for as little as one night.Ultimately, foster children can be adopted.The general process of becoming a foster parent in Ohio is the same regardless of the specific steps taken.
Step 1: Foster parents have responsibilities.
Children who can't live with their natural parents because of abuse or neglect can be cared for by a foster parent.They take care of the child until they are able to return home.Children are taught skills by foster parents.Foster parents need to be involved in the child's case.They attend school meetings, court hearings, provide transportation, and stay in regular contact with the caseworkers and service providers.The majority of children return to their families within a year.
Step 2: You should check if you qualify.
You need to be licensed by the state in order to provide foster care.General requirements include being at least 21 years of age.A member of the household must be able to communicate in English.The household needs to have enough money to provide for the family.You have to be free of conditions that could endanger the child.You can't have a criminal conviction.The house has to be free of hazardous conditions.
Step 3: Understand the benefits.
Foster parents receive subsidies in addition to providing a benefit to the child and your community.Each county has its own rates.The basic rate in Columbiana County is $20.00 a day.Foster families in Erie County get a base rate of $20.00 per day for each child under 12 and $30.00 per child over the age of 18.The costs for medical and dental care are assumed by Children's Services.
Step 4: Call the appropriate agency.
You can begin an application by contacting the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.Select option 4 when you call.Foster parents can be licensed through county public children services agencies or through private agencies certified by the state.Public children services agencies can be found here.There is a list of private child care agencies.
Step 5: Financial information to be gathered
Proof of household income for the most recent tax year prior to your application are some of the documents you will need to provide the agency.Proof of household income for a couple of months.The verification of income must be done six months prior to the agency's recommendation for certification.Each utility has a single bill.The bills cannot be dated more than six months prior to the recommendation date.
Step 6: You must participate in training.
36 hours of pre-service training is required of all interested families.The training will teach you about the role foster parents play, licensing requirements, and the needs and feelings of foster children.When you attend the training, you will have to fill out paperwork.You should try to get copies of everything you fill out.As long as you are a foster parent, continuous training is required.You must complete at least 40 hours of continuing training in the preceding two years.There are different training requirements for homes that care for children less than six months old.
Step 7: A background check should be done before you go.
Each adult in the household will need a criminal background check as part of the application.As part of the check, you will need to be fingerprints.You can't be licensed until the agency reviews the results.Discuss criminal convictions with the licensing agent.The rules are not easy to understand.Some convictions will not disqualify you.If the offense was a misdemeanor and at least three years have passed since the end of your prison sentence, then you could still qualify for a license.You may still qualify if the offense was a felony for at least 10 years.You can't be licensed if you have convictions for rape, sexual assault, or drug offenses.Discuss convictions with the worker.
Step 8: Write letters of reference.
If they are willing to serve as personal references for you, you should ask them.If they can give a strong reference, name them as a reference.How many references do you need?
Step 9: Medical statements should be signed by the person.
All members of the household will need to complete a medical statement form.The form should be given to your doctor or other health care professional.You have six months to complete this form before the agency makes a recommendation for certification.There is a medical statement form here.If someone in the house has suffered a serious illness or injury over the past year, you may need to provide additional medical reports.
Step 10: Make sure that you meet the requirements in the bedroom.
If you want to get a placement in Ohio, you have to satisfy specific bedroom requirements.The foster child's bedroom must sleep no more than four children.It needs to provide a safe and comfortable sleeping area with reasonable privacy as well as access for adult supervision.No child younger than five years old shall share a bedroom with a child of the opposite sex.Make sure the mattress is clean and comfortable for the child.
Step 11: It's time to clean your home.
Your home will be inspected to make sure it is clean, safe, and sanitary.It is possible to begin to clean your home by removing piles of old clothes, papers, trash, magazines, and toys.Store or dispose of this material.You can vacuum carpets or sweep floors.Animals have unpleasant odors, so try to remove them.Make sure you clean up after your pets.It's important to pay attention to your bathroom.Make sure the sinks, toilets, tub, and showers are cold and warm.Make sure bathroom utilities work.
Step 12: Fix anything.
The home was in good shape.Check the house for any dangers, such as exposed wires.Make sure they are covered if you find them.There washipped paint.It is possible to eathipped paint.Repaint or wallpaper after removing loose paint.There are broken windows.There are broken windows.Make sure the windows have screens.There are cracks in the stairs, bannisters, and railings.Make sure that they are strong.There are drugs and chemicals.Store them out of the reach of children.There are firearms.If you have firearms, make sure they are stored in a locked metal or wood gun safe.There should be a separate place for bullets.
Step 13: You should install smoke detectors.
You need to have both smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in the house.
Step 14: A fire safety inspector will inspect you.
You must get an approved inspection from either the State fire marshal's office or a certified fire safety inspector.The home will be free from hazardous conditions after this inspection.The initial recommendation for certification by the agency must be obtained within 12 months.
Step 15: Meet the worker
The study of the home involves more than the physical space.The worker will come to your home to conduct in-depth interviews with your family.A variety of topics will be discussed by the licensing worker.You can talk about your childhood experiences and family relationships, your approach to discipline, and how you deal with stress.The home study is a good time to ask questions about becoming a foster parent.Communication with your worker is always free.
Step 16: Wait for the right job to come along.
Being licensed doesn't guarantee the placement of a child.A license makes a placement possible.There is great demand for foster parents in Ohio.What ages and sex of children you are willing to take will be asked during your home study.Depending on your preferences, the agency matches available children to foster parents.
Step 17: Do you have questions?
Foster parents and caseworkers need to communicate.Ask the caseworker any questions that will help you understand the child.You might want to know why the child is in foster care.The child has been in foster care before.If the child has any medical issues.The child is expected to be in foster care for a while.
Step 18: Let the child know that you are there.
It can be nerve-racking to meet a foster child.It is a good idea to greet the caseworker and child outside.Speak softly and smile.Don't insist that the foster child call you Mom or Dad.
Step 19: Take the child to your home.
You should show the child your home.Show where the child will sleep.Show where his or her clothes will be kept.You should sit the child down and talk about the rules of the house.Encourage the child to ask questions.Let him know that you are aware of how important his family is to him when he talks about his natural family.