How to Become a Foster Parent in Ohio

Becoming a foster parent in Ohio is a selfless act — especially with over 15,000 kids in care throughout the state. 

Just ask Sheronda Glenn, a foster parent in Ohio:

"I look forward to cooking for you and doing fun things with you. Most of all, I hope to hear your hopes and dreams for your future and be a person you can trust to help you reach your goals."

If you’re looking to become a foster parent and provide a safe and loving home to a child in need, our blog can help you get started with the process.

From basic requirements to the inspection of your home, we’ll provide steps on how to become a foster parent in Ohio.

But first, we want to make sure that you understand what being a foster parent means — it’s more than just providing shelter for a child in care!

What it Takes to Be a Good Foster Parent in Ohio

At its core, being a foster parent in Ohio (or anywhere in the world) means creating a space where a child can thrive beyond any trauma they’ve experienced.

So, what does that mean for you as a foster parent?

Here’s what you’ll need to know to be an incredible foster parent to a child in care.

Providing a Safe and Nurturing Environment

A child in care who feels safe and happy is one that will thrive and grow!

• Foster parents need to create a home environment that is safe and full of love. 
• They also need to provide the basics: food to eat, a comfortable place to lay their heads,  and chances to participate in fun activities and hobbies.

It’s more than just shelter — from Columbus to Akron, a foster home offers many of the simple things that help a child in care live a normal, stable life and grow up healthy!

It’s exactly how Elizabeth Murrell, a Maryland foster parent, puts it in her letter to her child in care:

"We want you to feel safe and loved in our home. We understand that this may be a new and unfamiliar environment for you, but please know that we are here to support you every step of the way."

Many kids in care enter foster care because of neglect or abuse — in some cases, you’ll be providing stability in the life of a child who has never experienced what a healthy home environment is. You may even be their first example of what a healthy relationship looks like

Building Positive Relationships

Teaching children about positive relationships can be a tough job, but it's particularly important for a child in care.

• Foster parents should help a child in care not only connect with them but also, if they can, reconnect with their birth parents. 
• For many children in care, especially those in therapeutic foster care, building relationships with people can be hard at first.

However, with a loving hand from foster parents, we can help kids in care foster these long-lasting relationships.

Addressing Emotional Needs

Kids in care may have more complex emotional needs — and that’s okay. As a foster parent, you can help them learn healthy ways to acknowledge and act on their feelings.

• Children in care often require additional patience and support to manage their emotions, especially if they have been through trauma.
• Foster parents have access to educational opportunities that teach them the skills they need to provide this kind of support to a child in care.
• By creating a sense of safety, love, and inclusion in the family, foster parents help these children heal.

Solving Educational Needs

Unfortunately, children in care are one of the groups most at risk in terms of high school completion rates. 

Getting into college as they become adults can also be a challenge because of their experiences and the dangers of “aging out” of care.

Foster parents can make all the difference during those crucial formative years when a child in care needs help the most!

• Children in care need help with their education like any other kid.
• By collaborating with teachers and other professionals, foster parents can best support the education of a child in care.
• This collaboration helps address a child’s unique needs and overcome any school-related challenges.

Preparing Them For Adulthood

One of the main priorities of being a foster parent is helping to prepare a child in care for adulthood! 

Foster parents play a big role in helping a child in care grow into a successful adult.

• They provide emotional support and teach important life skills.
• This includes showing foster teens how to manage money, save, and understand the support they can get if they leave foster care when they're older.

Unfortunately, many children in Ohio (and elsewhere in the US) age out of foster care — around 1,000 a year, to be exact. They often aren’t prepared for what’s out there after becoming an adult. 

As a foster parent, you can help be the change needed to help a child in care live a fulfilling life beyond their teenage years!

Basic Requirements and Qualifications to Foster

Ohio’s basic requirements for foster parents are:

• You need to be at least 18 years old. 
• Someone in your household must be capable of reading, writing, and speaking English or effectively communicating with the child in care and any related organizations.
• You can be single or married — all orientations are welcome.
• All religions are accepted and welcomed.

Physical and Mental Health requirements

Foster parents need to be in good physical and mental health to care for a child in need:

• You and your household members must not have any health issues that could harm a child or make it difficult to care for them. This applies to physical, mental, and emotional health!
• A medical professional must confirm the health of everyone in your household. The individual must be authorized to conduct physical examinations, such as a physician assistant, a clinical nurse specialist, a certified nurse practitioner, or a certified nurse-midwife.

References and Background Checks

All foster parents in Ohio must provide references and submit to background checks — this is all to ensure that a child in care is placed in a safe and proper home. 

• You need to provide contact details for references.
• Everyone aged 18 and over in the home must pass criminal and child abuse and neglect checks.

Income Requirements

Although foster parents receive a stipend in Ohio to help with childcare costs, they must also demonstrate financial stability and responsibility. The household should have enough income for basic needs and shelter costs.

Home Requirements

Every foster home needs to be a safe environment for children to thrive! 

Here are the home requirements for the state of Ohio:

• You don’t need to own your home, but there should be enough space for a child and their belongings
• Any pets or domestic animals must be kept safely and cleanly, following state and local regulations
• Your home must be free from hazards and pass a fire inspection and safety audit
• Foster homes must provide a smoke-free environment for children.
• There must be a working telephone in the home
• You need to have a continuous supply of safe drinking water
• The home must have working bathroom and toilet facilities connected to an indoor plumbing system
• The home must have a working smoke alarm and fire extinguisher
• An approved inspection by a state-certified fire safety inspector or the state fire marshal’s office, certifying the home is free from hazardous conditions, must be obtained within 12 months prior to the initial recommendation for certification
• Firearms and other weapons must be stored in an inoperative condition in a locked area inaccessible to children.

Ohio Bedroom Requirements to Foster a Child

Bedrooms should be a safe space for children in care!

Here are some of the requirements for bedrooms in Ohio. 

• Every child needs their own bed
• Beds must be clean and comfortable for children in care 
• Separate bedrooms are required for boys and girls over age 5

Transportation Requirements for Ohio Children in Foster Care

Transportation is important for foster parents — after all, children in care also have places to be.

• Any vehicle used to transport a child in care must be kept in safe working order and have liability insurance as required by state laws

• Foster parents must ensure that anyone driving a child in care has the appropriate driver's license for that type of vehicle.

• Foster parents must also ensure that a child in care is properly secured in the vehicle according to the child’s age, using the appropriate safety measures at all times.

The Process of Becoming a Foster Parent in Ohio

If you’re ready to make a difference in the life of a child in care in Ohio, here are the steps you’ll need to take moving forward. 

1. Choosing a Foster Care Organization

The first step is to select a foster care organization to partner with near you. 

You can start the process on your own — in Ohio, it starts by locating an agency on the Ohio Foster, Adoption & Kinship Care website.

Mentor Foster Care, a part of Sevita’s companies, helps prospective foster parents in Ohio with the application process and to become foster parents.

You can also get answers to any questions you might have about fostering along the way!

In most cases, the process of becoming a foster parent with support from our experts tends to be much faster than trying to complete the process alone!

As a therapeutic foster care provider, we have offices across the state:

• Akron
• Canfield
• Canton
• Columbus
• Elyria
• Independence
• Warren
• Willoughby Hills

2. Filling Out an Application

Once you’ve chosen a foster care organization to partner with, they can help you fill out the application. 

During this stage, you’ll also need to provide references and submit to a background check — these are important steps to ensure the safety of children in care! 

3. Preservice Sessions

Becoming a foster parent involves taking part in preservice sessions to help you provide the best possible care for a child in need.

In Ohio, these preservice sessions take 24 hours total, and they teach you about foster care, adoption, and the rules of the agency. They help you learn how to care for kids who have been abused or neglected and explains how the child welfare system works.

Different places offer this training at different times, including evenings and weekends.

4. Home Study

Every state in the US requires a home study — including Ohio.

• During a home study, a social worker will ensure that your home is a safe and nurturing environment for a child.
• They will also discuss your family life, lifestyle, and reasons for wanting to be a foster parent. 

This step is not just a requirement; it's also an opportunity for you to reflect deeply on the decision to become a foster parent, as it's a significant commitment.

5. Matching Process

Once you’ve completed the necessary steps to become a foster parent, the matching process begins. 

This is where your unique strengths, preferences, and family dynamics are carefully considered to find the best match for both you and the child. 

The goal is to place a child in your home where they can thrive emotionally and physically. You'll work closely with your caseworker to ensure the child placed with you aligns with your family’s needs and capabilities, creating the best possible environment for everyone involved!

6. Placement

This is when a child is officially welcomed into your home. 

You’ll receive all the essential information about the child, including their background, needs, and any specific care requirements. During this time, your caseworker will provide ongoing support to help ease the transition for both you and the child. 

The focus during placement is on creating a stable, nurturing environment where the child can feel safe and supported as they adjust to their new home.

7. Continuing Preservice Sessions

Even after you begin looking after a child in care, you’ll need to continue with your preservice sessions. The state of Ohio requires foster parents to do 30 hours of sessions every two years or 45 hours for special care. 

You can find out more about these courses from the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program!

Support For Ohio Foster Parents 

When you become a foster parent in Ohio, you’re not alone.

The state offers many different ways to support foster parents and ensure they can provide the best care for children in their homes. 

Stipends 

Foster parents in Ohio receive a monthly stipend to help cover the cost of caring for a child. 

The amount of the stipend depends on the child's age and needs. These funds can be used for everyday expenses like food, clothing, and transportation. There may be higher stipends available for children with special needs or those in therapeutic care.

Childcare Assistance 

Ohio provides childcare assistance to help foster parents who need it!

This program helps cover the cost of childcare services, making it easier for foster parents to balance their caregiving duties with their personal and professional lives. 

Medical Assistance

All children in foster care in Ohio are eligible for Medicaid, which covers a wide range of medical and dental services. 

This ensures that children in care receive the necessary health care without placing a financial burden on foster parents. Medicaid covers doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, mental health services, dental care, and vision care. 

Foster parents are encouraged to find medical providers who accept Medicaid to make the most of these benefits.

What Disqualifies You As a Foster Parent in Ohio?

Knowing how to become a foster parent is important. However, you’ll also want to know what might disqualify you from becoming a foster parent in Ohio:

• Debilitating health concerns
• Being under the age of 18
• A criminal background
• A home that doesn’t meet the Ohio home requirements 
• Not being financially stable
• Substance abuse issues

FAQs on Becoming a Foster Parent in Ohio

How long does it take to become a foster parent in Ohio?

The process to become a foster parent can vary, but it typically takes several months. 

This includes completing the application, attending preservice training sessions, and undergoing a home study. Working with an organization like Mentor Foster Care can help streamline the process!

What is a home study?

A home study is an evaluation of your home environment conducted by a social worker to ensure it’s safe and nurturing for a child in care. 

It includes interviews with your family, an assessment of your lifestyle, and a review of your reasons for wanting to become a foster parent.

Can I choose the age and gender of the child I foster?

Foster parents can specify preferences for the age, gender, and other characteristics of the child they wish to foster. 

However, it’s important to remain flexible — becoming a foster parent is more about helping children in need. The goal of the foster care matching process is to meet the needs of children in care.

How much will I have to work with a child’s birth family?

As a foster parent, you may have some involvement with the birth family, depending on the child’s case plan. 

This can range from coordinating visits to sharing updates about the child's well-being. The level of involvement varies with each situation, but your support in maintaining this connection can be vital to the child’s emotional health and the overall goal of reunification, when appropriate.

How do I support a the  education of a child in care?

Foster parents can support a child’s education by working closely with teachers and school counselors, creating a conducive learning environment at home, and addressing any special educational needs. 

This collaboration helps ensure the child receives the support they need to succeed in school.

Can you adopt from foster care in Ohio?

Yes!

Foster to adopt in Ohio is one of the best ways to adopt a child for those who want to give a child a forever home. You’ll need to meet many of the same requirements as becoming a foster parent in the state. 

Get Answers To Your Foster Parenting Questions

Whether you’re in Ohio or any other state, the process of becoming a foster parent can seem confusing at first.

But don’t worry: You’re never alone!

Get step-by-step guidance to ease your uncertainties with the Foster Parent Information Webinar! 

You'll get answers to your biggest questions, such as the process of becoming a foster parent, the importance of foster parents, who can foster, and what support is available to you.