Every child in foster care deserves a nurturing environment where they can heal, grow, and thrive—and Ohio communities are helping make this vision a reality.
Children in foster care deserve a safe place, caring support, and the chance to grow. Across Ohio, people are coming together to help them feel welcome, supported, and connected.
Foster care is part of communities across Ohio. Children in foster care live in cities, small towns, and neighborhoods throughout the state. They attend local schools, take part in activities, and build relationships with people in their communities.
Foster care provides a temporary place for a child to live when they cannot safely stay at home. Every family has a different story. While families work toward their next steps, foster parents provide everyday care, routines, and encouragement.
But foster care involves more than foster parents. Teachers, caseworkers, healthcare providers, relatives, coaches, neighbors, and community organizations can all play a role. When people work together, children have more opportunities to stay connected to the people and places that matter to them.
Numbers can help us understand how foster care connects to communities across the state. In 2025, 14,233 Ohio children were in foster care.
Behind every number is a child with their own interests, strengths, relationships, and goals. Some children live with foster families, while others may live with relatives or in other care settings. The amount of time a child spends in foster care can also be different for every family.
Learning about these numbers helps bring awareness to foster care in Ohio. It also reminds us that children in foster care are part of the same schools, neighborhoods, and communities as all other children.
School can provide important connections for children in foster care. In addition to learning, students can build friendships, take part in activities, and form relationships with teachers, coaches, counselors, and other trusted adults.
Ohio schools have special supports for students in foster care. Every public school district and community school has a foster care education liaison. This person can help with enrollment, transportation, school records, and other needs.
When it is in the student's best interest, Ohio also works to help children remain in the same school after entering foster care or changing placements. If a school change is needed, there are steps in place to help the student enroll without delay.
These supports can provide more consistency while other parts of a child's life may be changing.
Familiar people and places can be an important part of a child's life. For a child in foster care, those connections might include siblings, relatives, friends, teachers, coaches, or other trusted adults.
Ohio schools are encouraged to help students in foster care stay connected to trusted adults and take part in school activities. Schools can also connect students and caregivers with community resources when they need additional help.
Staying connected can give children opportunities to continue activities they enjoy, maintain important relationships, and remain part of their community.
Kinship care happens when a relative or another person who already has a connection with the child provides care. This may include a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or another familiar adult.
For some children, kinship care can help maintain important family and community connections. A child may be able to continue family traditions, spend time with people they know, or remain connected to familiar places.
Kinship caregivers may also have access to resources that can help them understand available services and support. These caregivers are another important part of the network of people helping children and families across Ohio.
Foster families provide much more than a place to stay. They help children with everyday parts of life, such as getting ready for school, attending appointments, joining activities, sharing meals, and building routines.
They also work with other people in the child's life. This may include teachers, caseworkers, healthcare providers, therapists, and family members. Working together helps everyone better understand the child's needs and goals.
Every foster family is different. Some foster parents are single, while others are married. Some already have children, while others do not. What they share is a willingness to provide care, learn new skills, and become part of a child's support team.
You do not have to become a foster parent to care about foster care.
Teachers can create welcoming classrooms. Coaches and mentors can provide encouragement. Community organizations can connect families with helpful resources. Friends and neighbors can learn more about foster care and find appropriate ways to support foster families.
Small actions can help build stronger connections. Learning about foster care, sharing accurate information, supporting local organizations, and treating children and families with kindness are all ways people can become more aware of foster care in their community.
When more people understand how foster care works, communities can become more welcoming and informed.
Every Ohio public school district and community school has a foster care education liaison.
When it is in a child's best interest, schools and child welfare agencies work together to help the student remain in their school.
Schools can help students in foster care stay connected to teachers, coaches, mentors, and other trusted adults.
Foster care is often temporary, and children reunifying to their families is an important goal when it is safe to do so.
Mentor Foster Care, a part of the Sevita family, works with foster families throughout their foster care journey. Families receive skill development to help them learn about the needs of children in foster care and prepare for everyday experiences.
Support continues after a child in welcomed into your home. Foster parents can stay connected with their care team, ask questions, find helpful resources, and receive guidance based on the needs of the child and family.
Mentor Foster Care also understands the importance of community connections. Foster parents, families, schools, professionals, and community resources can work together to help children continue learning, building relationships, and working toward their goals.
Mentor Foster care connects many parts of an Ohio community. Families, schools, professionals, relatives, and local organizations can each play a role in helping children feel supported and included.
Not everyone will become a foster parent, and that is okay. Learning about foster care is one way to start. Sharing accurate information, supporting foster families, and becoming more aware of the needs of children in your community can also make a difference.
When communities understand foster care and work together, they can create more opportunities for children and families to stay connected. Strong communities are built through relationships, understanding, and people who care about one another.
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