One of the first steps in the process is Pre-Placement Training, which is designed to help you better understand our children and your potential role in their lives before you are ever licensed. Once licensed, Focus on Youth provides:
- 24-hour support from members of our team
- Excellent foster parent support through our ongoing training program and Foster Parent Advisory Board
- Trauma Competent Caregiving Training
- Comprehensive behavioral health services
- Stipends to assist in the care of each youth
- A family-friendly environment
General Requirements:
- Ohio resident and at least 18 years old
- Sufficient income to meet household needs
- Successful completion of criminal history check, fingerprinting, background check, and driving record for all household members
Roadmap
Contact us to inquire about becoming a foster parent: We recognize this is a big decision for you and your family and will spend as much time discussing foster care with you as you want.
Information Packet or Meeting: If you want to proceed, an informational packet is emailed to you within 48 hours. You could also request an information meeting with a member of our licensing staff. To request a meeting, contact us.
Pre-Placement Training: Ohio requires foster parents receive 24 hours of training before becoming a licensed foster parent. Register for Pre-placement Training.
Submit application: During Pre-Placement Training, you will decide if foster parenting is right for you and your family. If the answer is yes, you will submit an application. Applications must be filled out completely (with no blanks) in order to be accepted.
Family Assessor Assigned: After your application is accepted, a family assessor is assigned and your homestudy will begin. This takes 3 to 6 months to complete. Timing depends largely on how quickly you complete each step of the required process.
License: After the homestudy is completed, the paperwork is submitted to the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services for licensing. When approved for placement, you will be placed on our available families list as ready to accept placement of a child.
Attend Rules and Policies Training: Caregivers must complete a Rules and Policies training prior to receiving a placement. The class can be taken prior to licensure, but it will not count towards your continuing training credit.
Placement: When a referral is provided, Focus on Youth will contact you if your home meets the needs of the youth being referred. If you accept the referral, Focus on Youth will support you through the placement process.
Continuing Training: Continuing Training is required to maintain your foster care license. A training plan will be prepared to help you select trainings that will increase your foster parenting skills.
Permanency: Our desire at Focus on Youth is that all children achieve permanency. We will work alongside you to equip you for this journey.
Focus on Youth complies with the Multi-Ethnic Placement Act (MEPA).
For more information or to talk with one of our staff about becoming a licensed foster parent, please call (513) 644-1030 or Contact Us through our website.
