Children across Ohio long for a place where they can feel safe, loved, and supported. As more children enter foster care in Ohio, caring adults have the opportunity to make a lasting difference. Together, we can open our hearts and homes so no child feels forgotten or alone.
Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a safe, stable, and supportive environment. While many children experience that security at home, others face circumstances that require temporary care outside of their family. Mentor Foster Care exists to provide children with safety, stability, and support while their families work toward reunification or another permanent plan.
Across Ohio, thousands of children rely on foster care each year, making it an important part of the state's child welfare system. Although every child's journey is unique, they all share the same basic need:
A place where they can feel safe, supported, and encouraged as they grow.
Understanding how foster care works is an important first step in helping build stronger communities for children and families alike.
Foster care is not just about giving children a place to stay. It is about giving them steady care during a hard time. A safe home, a daily routine, and caring adults can help children feel more secure while big decisions are being made about their future. When we understand that need, we can better see why strong foster families matter so much in Ohio.
Ohio's foster care system serves thousands of children every year. As of March 2025, more than 14,000 children were in foster care across Ohio. Each year, thousands more enter the foster care system while families receive support and services.. Most children live in family foster homes or with relatives, while others may require specialized treatment foster homes or residential care depending on their individual needs. These numbers represent more than statistics—they represent children of all ages, backgrounds, and communities who need stability during difficult times. Understanding the scope of foster care helps raise awareness about the ongoing need for caring adults and supportive communities throughout Ohio.
While Ohio has made progress, there is still a need for more foster families across the state. More than 15,000 children are in foster care across our state. That is more children than many small towns have people. That is enough kids to fill about 300 school buses! Many of these children move from place to place because there are not enough foster families to care for them.
While the number of children in foster care in Ohio has gone down, the need is still urgent. One of the biggest challenges today is that fewer people are stepping forward to become foster parents. That means caseworkers can have a harder time finding the right home for each child, especially when siblings need to stay together or a teen needs care. Even with fewer children in care, the shortage of foster families can still lead to moves, long waits, and uncertainty for children who need a safe and stable place to land.
Children in foster care range from babies to teenagers. Some stay in foster care for just a few months, while others spend years waiting for a home. Each one has their own story, their own hopes, and their own dreams for the future. Many dream of simple things, like having the same bedroom for more than a few weeks or knowing who will tuck them in at night. Even though they have faced hard times, they still hope someone give them a safe, loving place to grow.
Children enter foster care for many different reasons, and every family's story is different. Each year, thousands of children enter Ohio's foster care system because they need a safe, temporary place to stay while their families receive support.
Some of the reasons children may enter foster care include:
Some of the reasons children may enter foster care include:
A parent or caregiver experiencing substance use challenges
Mental or physical health concerns affecting a parent or caregiver
Family challenges, such as incarceration or domestic violence
The loss of a caregiver or a change in caregiving support
Whenever it is safe and possible, returning home with parents or relatives is the goal. If you'd like to learn more about why children enter foster care, visit our related blog to better understand the foster care journey and what happens next.
As Ohio prepares to elect its next governor, issues affecting children and families are receiving increased attention across the state. Alongside discussions about education, health care, and the economy, child welfare and foster care have become part of broader conversations about how Ohio can best support vulnerable children and strengthen families. Candidates and advocacy organizations have highlighted topics such as improving access to services, supporting foster families, expanding kinship care, and ensuring children experience greater stability while in care. While policy approaches may differ, there is broad recognition that children deserve safe, nurturing environments and that strengthening Ohio's child welfare system is an important investment in the state's future.
More than 15,000 children are in foster care across Ohio.
Some children have to move many times while they wait for the right placement.
Brothers and sisters may be separated if there are not enough foster homes.
Teens are often the hardest to place, even though the impact of their placement may have the greatest value
Foster parents receive skill development, ongoing support, and resources to help them provide a safe, stable environment for children.
You might wonder why this matters to you. The answer is simple and deeply important: these children are part of our Ohio community. They are not strangers far away. They live in our towns and cities. They play at the same parks and ride their bikes down the same streets. They are our neighbors, and they need our help and our hearts.
Children in foster care may experience changes in schools, routines, friendships, and caregivers. A stable, supportive home can help provide the consistency they need during times of change.
Caring about foster care also means caring about our future. Children are tomorrow’s teachers, helpers, nurses, builders, and leaders. When children grow up in safe, loving homes, they can focus on being kids. They do better in school because they can concentrate instead of worrying. They sleep better at night and feel more ready to learn each morning. They learn how to trust, how to be kind, and how to make good choices. Over time, they become strong adults who give back to their communities.
ster care touches everyone in Ohio, even if you don't realize it. When children don't have stable homes, they struggle in school. Teachers work harder to help these students catch up and feel safe in the classroom. Schools need extra resources to support children who have experienced difficult situations.
Our communities also feel the impact in other ways. Children without stable homes are more likely to have health problems and need extra support services. They may struggle to make friends or trust adults. This affects our neighborhoods, our schools, and our local organizations.
When communities come together to support children in foster care, amazing things happen. Children who find caring, stable homes are more likely to succeed in school, build healthy relationships, and become contributing members of their communities. In fact, students in foster care are significantly less likely to graduate from high school than their peers—only about 71% graduate by age 21, compared with 88% of all youth. By providing children with the stability and support they need, we can help change these outcomes. By helping one child, we can create positive change that spreads throughout Ohio.
Foster care also affects local schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Teachers, counselors, doctors, and volunteers all work together to help children feel supported. When communities work together, children have more opportunities to succeed in school, build friendships, and stay connected to activities they enjoy.
A caring home can make a lasting difference in a child's life. Foster families provide much more than a safe place to stay—they offer stability, encouragement, and a sense of belonging during a time of uncertainty. While every child's journey is unique, having caring adults who provide consistency and support can help children build confidence, develop healthy relationships, and look toward the future with hope.
Foster families make a difference in many everyday ways by providing:
A safe, stable home where children can feel secure.
Consistent routines that help children build structure and confidence.
Support with schoolwork and encouragement to reach their goals.
Celebrations of birthdays, holidays, and milestones that create positive memories.
Attendance at school events, extracurricular activities, and medical appointments to help children stay connected and supported.
Patience, understanding, and encouragement as children adjust to new environments and experiences.
Children of every age benefit from a caring home, including teenagers. In Ohio, more than 3,600 children are waiting to be adopted, and teens are among those who often wait the longest to find a permanent family. Whether they're preparing for graduation, learning to drive, applying for college, or entering the workforce, teenagers benefit from supportive adults who encourage them every step of the way. By opening their hearts and homes to children of all ages, foster families help create opportunities for healing, growth, and brighter futures—one child at a time. If you've ever wondered whether you're the right fit, learn why you don't need experience parenting a teen to foster a teen.
Foster parents can help children keep a daily routine, stay in school, and take part in activities they enjoy. At Mentor Foster Care, foster parents receive ongoing skill development, helpful resources, and support throughout their fostering journey. They are never expected to do everything on their own. Every child is different, but having caring adults who show up each day can make a big difference.
Supporting children in foster care begins with awareness, and there are many meaningful ways individuals and communities can help. Ohio's foster care system served more than 24,000 children in a recent year, with nearly 9,700 children entering care and more than 3,600 children waiting to be adopted. These numbers highlight the ongoing need for caring adults, strong community partnerships, and continued support for children and families across the state.
While becoming a foster parent is one way to make a lasting impact, it is not the only way to support children in foster care. Volunteering with local organizations, mentoring youth, donating school supplies or clothing, supporting foster families, or providing respite care can all make a meaningful difference. At Mentor Foster Care, foster parents receive ongoing skill development, resources, and personalized support throughout their fostering journey, helping them feel prepared while providing children with safe, stable homes. Raising awareness, sharing accurate information, and creating welcoming communities are equally important ways to support children. Together, these efforts help strengthen Ohio's foster care system and ensure more children have the opportunity to grow, heal, and thrive.
Foster care in Ohio is big, but together, we can make a difference. Every child deserves the chance to heal, grow, and thrive in a safe, loving home. When we work together as a community, we can give the children in Ohio the hope and future.
Imagine what could happen if more people decided to help. Fewer children would move from home to home. More kids would feel safe and loved. More young people would grow up knowing that their community cares about them. This isn't just a dream—it can be our reality if we all do our part.
The children waiting in Ohio's foster care system need us now. They need caring adults who will stand up for them and provide safe homes. Whether you choose to become a foster parent or simply spread awareness, your action matters. Together, we can write a new story for the children in Ohio—a story filled with hope, healing, and the promise of brighter tomorrows.