Become a Foster Parent
Considering Foster Care and Adoption?
Foster Care is temporary. Foster parents provide a nurturing, stable home for a child until they can return to their birth family or are placed in a permanent adoptive home. Children services places a child in foster care while they work to stabilize the family. Foster parents assume physical custody and provide for the child’s day-to-day care.
What Types of Children Need Foster Homes?
Children in foster care range in age from infant to 18 years. Most have been abused, neglected or abandoned, and some have special medical needs. Many may be struggling with emotional, behavioral or mental health issues. Some are siblings who need to be placed together. Foster parents have the final say in determining whether a particular child is appropriate for their family.
How many children are currently in foster care?
In Butler County, there are over 300 children placed in foster care because of abuse or neglect. Children range in age from newborn to 18 but more than half of the children are seven years-of-age and older. Many foster children struggle with emotional, behavioral or mental health issues. Often times they are part of a sibling group that wants to stay together.
Who can become a foster parent?
You must be at least 21 years of age. You can be single, married or divorced. You can live in an apartment or a house. You must be in good health and be able to meet your basic financial needs.
How do I become a foster parent?
Foster parents are licensed by the State of Ohio. To be licensed, you must complete 36 hours of specialized training and complete a home study. A home study includes in-depth interviews with all adults and children living in the home; local, state and federal criminal background checks; a medical exam to ensure that you are in good physical health and a physical inspection of your home. The entire process can take up to six months. Once you are a licensed foster parent you must complete 40 hours of ongoing training every two years to maintain your license.
I have a criminal history. Will this prevent me from becoming a foster parent?
It depends on the type of crime. There are specific criminal offenses that prevent Butler County Children Services from approving you as an adoptive parent.
What kind of support system is available for foster parents?
Butler County Children Services pays a monthly reimbursement to foster parents to cover the cost of food and shelter for each child. An allowance for clothing is provided when the child is initial placed in foster care. The agency also manages a clothing and furniture depot which can help provide for a child at no cost. Medical and dental costs are covered by the agency. Foster families are also assigned a foster care worker who ensures that any ongoing needs are met.
What is Adoption?
Adoption is the process by which adults become legal parents of a child not born to them. Adoptive parents become legally responsible for all their adoptive child’s basic needs.
Who can be an adoptive parent?
You must be at least 18 years of age and able to provide a nurturing, stable and permanent home for a child. Adoptive parents come from all walks of life—they can be married or single; homeowners or renters; with or without biological children and can work outside the home.
Who are the children available for adoption?
At any given time, Butler County Children Services has up to 80 children waiting for an adoptive home. The children available for adoption through children services have been abused or neglected or at risk of abuse or neglect. Most of these children are over the age of ten, part of a sibling group and have some form of emotional, behavioral or learning disability.
How do I become an adoptive parent?
You must complete 36 hours of specialized training and complete an adoption home study. A home study includes in-depth interviews with all adults and children living in the home; in good physical health, complete a local, state and federal background check and physical inspection of your home.
How long does the process take?
The process can take up to six months.
I have a criminal history. Will this prevent me from becoming an adoptive parent?
It depends on the type of crime. There are specific criminal offenses that prevent Butler County Children Services from approving you as an adoptive parent.
How much does it cost?
Butler County Children Services does not charge any fees for the adoption process. However, you may want to retain an attorney to help you finalize your adoption. Funds are available to reimburse you for attorney fees and court costs.
What type of financial assistance is available for adoptive families?
Financial assistance from the state and federal government may be available based on the individual needs of the child and the adoptive family. Ask your adoption worker about the financial assistance available for each child.
INFORMATION SESSIONS
Butler County offers Information Session through out the year.
Please Call or Email Carrie Jones at 800-792-3854 or Carrie.Jones@jfs.ohio.gov to find out about the next session start date!
PRE-SERVICE TRAINING SESSIONS
Pre-service training is the first step in becoming a Foster or Adoptive Parent.
Some important facts to know about pre-service training:
- Pre-Service Training is required for all prospective foster or adoptive parents.
- If you are in a committed relationship, both you and your partner must complete all training.
- You cannot begin a round of training after the third class. If you are unable to attend a class, we will assist you in making it up.
- If the training schedule does not accommodate your schedule, please call
1-800-792-3854.
Pre-Service training is held at:
Butler County Children's Services
300 N. Fair Ave. Hamilton, Ohio 45011