Prospective Traditional Foster/Adoptive Parents/Treatment Homes
Do you want to make a difference?
Are you someone that wants to step up and make a difference in a child’s life? These kids need you! Find out how to become a foster or adoptive parent! Call or email Sandusky County PCSA, they will walk you through the process!
(419) 334-8708
JFS Sandusky-County-Foster-Adopt@jfs.ohio.gov
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What is Foster Care?
Foster care is a temporary, safe alternative home and family for children that cannot safely live in their own home. The goal of a foster family is to give the child a safe and loving home while the child’s birth parents work toward reunification.
- Foster parents must be at least 21 years of age
- Can be single, co-parents, or married
- Can own or rent their home
- Should be in good physical and mental health
- Should have stable finances to care for a child
- Can pass a criminal background check
- Must have sufficient living and sleeping space
- Be able to love and care for children that are not your own
- Foster care per diem for each child you take in
- Monthly clothing allowance
- Out of county mileage reimbursement
- Medical coverage for the child, including therapy and counseling if needed
- Respite care
- A dedicated case manager to help you provide for the needs of the child
- Complete the Foster/Adopt Application
- Attend a state required Foster/Adopt Pre-service class (see list below)
- Complete Fingerprints/Background Checks
(List of local locations) - Provide Personal References
- Complete a Home Safety Inspection
- Complete personal interviews with all household members
What is an Adoptive Parent?
Adoptive parents provide a “forever family” for children in the agency’s permanent custody. Once a child’s adoption is finalized, the adoptive parents take on full responsibility for that child’s health, education, and overall well being.
The requirements for adoptive homes are identical to those for Foster parents. However, unlike foster parents, adoptive parents are not licensed by the state. After approval, the adoptive parents homestudy can be considered for the placement of children in any agency’s permanent custody across the country. These requirements are;
- Complete the Foster/Adopt application
- Attend a State required Foster/adopt Pre-service class
- Complete background checks
- Provide Personal References
- Complete a home Safety inspection
- Complete personal interviews with all household members
Note-Agency homestudies will not be released for use in private placement adoptions, they will only be released for use for children in permanent custody of any agency.
Unlike private adoption, there are many resources available to assist a family considering adoption. These children NEED permanent homes and we want to do anything we can to help them! Some of the supports available for adoptive children through the county are;
- Adoption assistance/subsidies
- Pre-finalization and post-finalization services
- Continued medical insurance
- Legal fee subsidies up to $1000
- Potential qualification for higher education programs
YES!! Most often, children do not come directly into the agency’s permanent custody. Usually, children who are eventually available for adoption have spent a period of time in foster care. If a child moves from temporary to permanent custody and none of the child’s relatives can offer permanency, the current foster parent is given first consideration to adopt that child. There are no additional requirements to become dually approved, so it is strongly encouraged to consider both.
Questions?
If you would like to speak to an agency foster care or adoption worker, call us at (419) 334-8708 or email us at
JFS Sandusky-County-Foster-Adopt@jfs.ohio.gov
Pre-service Classes
Sandusky County is an authorized provider of Pressley Ridge Treatment Foster Care pre-service curriculum. It is the only evidence-based Pre-Service Training designed specifically for Treatment Foster Parents. This curriculum is provided for free at Sandusky County Department of Job & Family Services to prospective foster/adopt families for both Family Foster Care and Treatment Foster Care!
Lucas County
Lucas County has the most flexible training schedule. Visit their website for specific dates and times.
Hancock County
View Hancock County’s Preservice Training Schedule
Huron County
Contact Chelsea Fuller at (419-663-5437 ext. 3214) or Chelsea.Fuller@jfs.ohio.gov
Make sure to let Chelsea know that you are licensing through Sandusky County, but taking preservice in Huron.
How Does a Children Services Case Work?
As prospective Foster/adoptive parents, it can be valuable to know how a case moves through Children Services.
The goal of Children Services is always to reunify a child with his/her parents if at all possible. Birth parents have the right to know that children being removed are being removed for their own safety. They also have the right to know that there are steps that they can take to address the conditions which led to the removal of their child and have the opportunity to get their child back. Foster parents play a key role in assisting with this process.
If you have questions about becoming a foster/adoptive parent, please complete the form below.
A typical Child protective services case may look like this:
Intake
If it is determined that a child is not safe in his/her home, then the child is removed and placed with either relatives, or in a foster, group, or residential home. At this time the child is in temporary custody of the agency, and the Juvenile Court is involved. It is through the court process that the agency obtains orders from the court to involve the family in needed services.
Investigation
Occurs within the first 30-45 days that a case is opened. The investigator will determine the level of risk to the child and what, if any, services can be offered.
Reporting
A child is reported to the agency due to concerns of child abuse, neglect, or dependency.
Ongoing Services
Ongoing services can occur where a child is still in the home(protective supervision) or after the child has been removed(temporary custody). In both situations, the caseworker develops a Case Plan in order to build on the family’s strengths and overcome any identified weaknesses. Most services detailed in the Case Plan become ordered by the Juvenile Court. Once the family has reduced the risk in their home to an acceptable level, the case will be closed (protective supervision), or if the agency has temporary custody, the child will be returned home. The agency will then monitor the home for a period of time before closing the case.
Adoption services
Adoption marks the final stage for a child involved with the agency. It is at this point that the agency is actively searching for an adoptive home that will best meet the needs of the child. Usually the Foster home that the child is in will be asked if they would like to adopt the child first. Once a “match” has been found, the child must be in the home for at least six months before a petition for finalization can be filed with Probate Court. During this period, the child continues to receive regular home visits from the case worker and is still in the permanent custody of the agency. Once the adoption is finalized in Probate Court the relationship between the child and the adoptive parents becomes legal and permanent.
What if the family does not complete the needed services?
If the family does not participate and progress in services within the initial 12 month period, the agency is required to pursue other permanency options for the child. These options include giving legal custody to a relative, filing a motion in court for the child to remain in foster care until adulthood, or filing a motion in court for permanent custody. If permanent custody is granted, the biological parent’s rights are terminated and the child is free for adoption.