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Interested in fostering? Start your journey today!

Become a Foster Parent

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Top Reasons Why You’re A Good Candidate To Become A Foster Care Parent!

It’s important to remember that you don’t have to be a superhero with special powers to be a great foster parent, but being there for a child in foster care truly is incredible. 

The following are some reasons that you’ve got what it takes to be an awesome foster parent for a child in need: 

  • You’re willing and ready to provide the profound changes that an at-risk child needs.
  • You’re confident that you can positively change a child’s life, and contribute to the CHANGES community. 
  • You get excited by life’s adventures and know that you’ll rise above any and all uncertainties. 
  • Your household is prepared and ready to welcome a child.
  • You understand how the idea of ‘family’ isn’t singularly defined. 
  • You have certain amounts of flexibility within your busy schedule to meet your foster child’s needs.
  • You’re ready to be a part of our elaborate network of foster care parenting support, and subsequently a community that’s much bigger than yourself! 
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Approval Process to Becoming a Foster Parent

There’s no denying that becoming a foster parent is a huge responsibility, but this responsibility also comes with huge rewards. There are a handful of steps that take around 3-6 months that prospective foster parents need to keep in mind, including: 

Reaching Out To The CHOICES Team

You can reach us online or call us at 937-264-0084 ext. 111 to ask us any questions you have about becoming a foster parent. We will send you an information packet and give you a call to discuss the next steps.  

Application & Training

The next step will be to fill out our application paperwork, and our recruiter will work with you to determine when to begin training. Once you’ve finalized the application process, you’ll then need to go through 36 hours of pre-placement training. (12 classes)

This training program will allow you to become a licensed Foster Parent in Ohio. 

Paperwork & Fingerprints

You will be given the remainder of the paperwork to be completed, our recruiter will assist you as needed. Once, you have completed 4-5 training classes we will do fingerprints and make copies of important documents. 

This step will also entail a background check.

Home Study

One of our assessors will complete several home visits, this allows for us to get to know you and your family composition better. The assessor will also work with you to make sure to be sure all your documentation is completed in a professional manner.  

Getting Licensed

Once you’ve finished your home study, our Licensing Expert will do a last-minute check and review of your paperwork for submission. Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) will review our recommendation for licensure and if, in agreement, they will issue a foster care license for your home. 

Foster Child Placement

This is the fun part! Once you’re an approved and licensed foster parent, you’ll be eligible to get calls and other information about children in need of placement. We’ll help you figure out what your unique needs are as a foster parent, and then our matching specialists will do their magic! 

Ongoing Case Management Services

Your home will be assigned a CHOICES foster care worker and they will begin regular home visits to provide support. Our team will also be available to connect you to other resources in the community unique to your foster child’s needs.



General Requirements To Become A Foster Parent

Being a foster parent simply isn’t for everyone, and this is of course perfectly okay! If you’re not eligible to be a foster parent, then we still encourage you to consider being an active advocate for children in need or getting involved with CHOICES in other ways.

The following are the general requirements associated with becoming a foster parent in Ohio: 

All applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Every foster family household must provide a bedroom space for each child.

You must also be able to prove that your income is sufficient enough to meet your household’s basic needs, which includes timely payments of utility bills, shelter costs, and other debts.

The members of your household must be free of any physical, mental or emotional conditions that could potentially put a foster child at risk.

You must have reliable transportation to support the child with their needs to see their biological family, go to medical appointments, school meetings, and other appointments.

You must pass the ODJFS background check.

Hear From Our Foster Families:

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Reach Out To Us For A No-Commitment Inquiry About Becoming A Foster Parent!

Becoming a foster parent is always a beautiful step within anyone’s life that will provide countless rewards, and we understand how prospective foster care families need to weigh out their options before making any kinds of commitments. 

When you reach out to us for an inquiry with our team, it’s really just a way for you to get more information so your household can make the right decisions. And you can always come back at another time if you feel as though you’re not quite ready. 

Contact us online or call us at 937-264-0084 ext.111 to speak with our foster care experts today! 

Do you want to became a foster parent?

Fill out our inquiry form and we will contact you as soon as we can

Prospective Parents SACWIS Information Form

*Must be completed before beginning the first training session with CHOICES, Inc.
Information listed below is for the sole purpose of CHOICES, Inc. entry of your information into Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS).