For almost 25 years, I’ve worked with individuals and families in Clark County, Ohio, helping them learn how to become foster parents or how to adopt a child. Many people are really surprised to learn that the process and training to become approved to be a foster parent is pretty straightforward. How straightforward? Read on.
Step 1: Inquire. Contact Family & Children Services and let us know that you are interested in adopting or becoming a foster parent. You can also call me, Karen Mullins at (937) 327-1810, Marsha Jenkins at (937) 327-1767, Ann Mann at (937) 327-1826 or Kim Dysert at (937) 327-1823.
Step 2: Fill out your info packet. After you inquire, we’ll send you an info packet with an application and questionnaire. Fill it out and send them back to us. This officially starts the process.
Step 3: Take care of some basics. We’ll help you work through some important requirements, like submitting references, medical checks, fingerprinting, financial statements and a fire inspection.
Step 4: Go to class. You’ll complete a pre-service training class, free of charge. The class is about six weeks long and encompasses 36 hours of training. The course will teach you all about the kids’ backgrounds, the circumstances they often come from, and will help you evaluate yourself and your family to determine whether you’re ready to take the next steps to become a foster family. More often than not, the answer is: “We’re absolutely ready!”
Step 5: Complete the home study. Your case worker will schedule three to five appointments to get to know each member of the family. One of these appointments will be a visit to your home to make sure everything is ready for a child to join you.
After the home study is complete, you’re done! You are ready to provide a home for a child! Have more questions? Want to start the process? … We’re waiting by the phone!
