Lorain County Children Services


"Doing the right things right, the first time, on time, every time, one child at a time."

 

Have you thought about becoming a foster parent?

Thank you for your interest in becoming a foster parent with Lorain County Children Services.

Children in your community count on you and your neighbors to help them when their parents can not.

Our kids are very special young people.

Some of them are older and some have brothers and sisters. They have strengths and weaknesses, needs and vulnerabilities just like all kids do. What they need right now is a parent like you who can help meet their needs and take care of their problems.

So thank you for taking your first steps to foster parenting.

Call us at 329-5340 and let us know you are interested!

 When you call us, you will be asked a few questions about yourself, your family, and your interest in fostering or adopting our children.

We can also answer your questions as well.

Read the information provided to you.

After you call to tell us you are interested, we will send you a packet of information about Lorain County Children Services, the children we serve and the importance of fostering.

Come to pre-service training.

The pre-service training is an opportunity to learn more about the specific issues related to foster parenting. Pre-Service training is required to be a licensed foster parent or adoptive parent.

Complete a Family Assessment with our social worker.

Our staff will guide you through an assessment process designed to help us, and you, learn as much about each other as possible. The Family Assessment is the document submitted to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in order to receive your license to foster.

Other Things to Know

Hey, our kids are special, and our prospective foster families must be special too. To be considered as an LCCS foster parent, you should know the following:

  • You cannot have any criminal hits or convictions in your background
  • All members of your home over age 14 must pass a pre-service drug screen
  • We will not place unrelated foster children in your home.
Foster parents have a wonderful and unique role to play within each child's safety net. We hope to hear from you soon! 

To be a foster or adoptive parent:

  • You can be married, single or divorced.

  • You can have other children.

  • You must be over 21 years old.

  • You can own or rent your home or apartment.

  • You can leave the foster child with an appropriate sitter if you work.

  • You receive training to help you understand and respond to the child's needs.

  • You, and anyone in your household ages 14 and older, must agree to a pre-service drug screen.

  • You need to let the agency check your background. You cannot have any criminal convictions or other "hits" on a criminal background check.

  • You will receive reimbursement for caring for your foster child.