How to Become a Foster Parent in Ohio

Description

Ohio's foster care system provides temporary, safe, and nurturing homes for children who cannot safely remain with their families because of abuse, neglect, dependency, or other circumstances. Foster caregivers work alongside the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, county public children services agencies, private child placing agencies, courts, schools, healthcare providers, and birth families while supporting reunification whenever safely possible.

Agency

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) establishes statewide foster care policies and certification standards. Foster home certification and ongoing supervision are administered through county Public Children Services Agencies (PCSAs) and licensed Private Child Placing Agencies (PCPAs).

Who Can Apply

Qualified adults who are at least 18 years old may apply. Applicants may be single, married, divorced, widowed, or partnered and may rent or own their home. Applicants must demonstrate financial stability, emotional readiness, and the ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children.

Average Time To License

Most applicants complete the certification process within four to six months depending on training schedules, background check processing, home study completion, and agency workload.

Website

Visit the official agency website

Minimum Age

Applicants must be at least 18 years old to become certified foster caregivers in Ohio.

Residency

Applicants must reside in Ohio and complete certification through a county Public Children Services Agency or licensed Private Child Placing Agency.

Marital Status

Applicants may be single, married, divorced, widowed, or in another qualifying household arrangement. All adults living in the home participate in the certification process.

Income Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial stability to support their household without depending on foster care reimbursement payments.

Home Ownership

Applicants do not need to own their residence. Houses, apartments, condominiums, manufactured homes, and rental properties may qualify if they meet Ohio foster home certification standards.

Bedroom Requirements

Children must have appropriate sleeping arrangements, their own bed, sufficient personal space, and bedroom assignments that comply with Ohio certification standards regarding privacy, age, gender, and safety.

Transportation

Applicants must maintain reliable transportation. Drivers must possess a valid driver's license, current automobile insurance, and use appropriate child restraint systems while transporting foster children.

Health Requirements

Applicants must be physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of providing safe care for children. Medical statements or health documentation may be required during the certification process.

Pet Policy

Pets are permitted provided they are properly cared for, vaccinated when required, safely supervised, and do not pose a danger to children living in the home.

Firearm Policy

Firearms and ammunition must be legally possessed and securely stored according to Ohio law and foster home certification requirements. Agencies review firearm storage during the home assessment.

Contact Agency

Begin by contacting your local county Public Children Services Agency or a licensed Private Child Placing Agency to express interest in becoming a foster caregiver.

Attend Orientation

Prospective foster caregivers attend an orientation explaining Ohio's child welfare system, certification requirements, trauma-informed care, reunification, foster caregiver responsibilities, and the certification process.

Choose Agency

Applicants choose to work with either their county Public Children Services Agency or a licensed Private Child Placing Agency, which will provide training, complete the home study, supervise placements, and offer ongoing support.

Documents Needed

• Completed foster caregiver application
• Government-issued photo identification
• Social Security numbers
• Birth certificates when requested
• Marriage certificate if applicable
• Divorce documentation if applicable
• Employment verification
• Income verification
• Medical forms
• Background check authorization forms
• Fingerprinting documentation
• Child abuse and neglect screening forms
• Personal references
• Driver's license
• Proof of automobile insurance
• Vehicle registration
• Homeowner's or renter's insurance
• Emergency contact information
• Pet vaccination records when applicable
• Additional documentation requested by the supervising agency

Required

Yes

Description

Ohio requires prospective foster caregivers to participate in an orientation before beginning certification. Orientation introduces applicants to foster care, agency expectations, the needs of children in care, trauma-informed parenting, reunification, available support services, and the certification process.

How To Register

Applicants register through their chosen county Public Children Services Agency or licensed Private Child Placing Agency after making an initial inquiry.

Duration

Orientation length varies slightly by agency but is typically completed in one session before pre-service training begins.

Application Process

Following orientation, applicants complete the foster caregiver application, participate in the home study, complete required pre-service training, submit fingerprints and required documentation, provide references, complete background screenings, and satisfy all safety requirements before the agency recommends certification.

Required Documents

• Completed foster caregiver application
• Government-issued identification
• Fingerprint cards
• Background screening authorization forms
• Medical documentation
• Income verification
• Personal references
• Driver's license
• Vehicle insurance
• Homeowner's or renter's insurance
• Emergency plans
• Pet records if applicable
• Additional documentation requested by the agency

References Required

Applicants generally provide at least three personal references from individuals who can speak to their character, parenting abilities, stability, and readiness to become foster caregivers.

Interview Process

The assigned assessor conducts interviews with applicants and household members during the home study. Discussions focus on family relationships, parenting philosophy, trauma-informed care, discipline practices, finances, support systems, motivation to foster, cultural competency, and readiness to partner with birth families.

Required

Yes

Curriculum

Ohio requires prospective foster caregivers to complete state-approved pre-service training before certification. The curriculum focuses on trauma-informed care, child development, attachment, behavior management, working with birth families, cultural competency, permanency planning, and the legal responsibilities of foster caregivers.

Required Hours

Applicants must complete a minimum of 36 hours of Ohio Department of Children and Youth approved pre-service training before becoming certified. Certain specialized foster care programs may require additional training.

Online Available

Training availability varies by county Public Children Services Agency and Private Child Placing Agency. Many agencies offer in-person, virtual, or hybrid training options depending on local schedules and program availability.

Certification

Completion of pre-service training alone does not result in certification. Applicants must also successfully complete the home study, background checks, interviews, safety inspections, references, and all certification requirements before being approved.

Required

Yes

Interviews

A certified assessor conducts a comprehensive home study that includes interviews with each applicant and all household members. The assessment evaluates parenting abilities, family relationships, motivation to foster, emotional readiness, support systems, and the family's ability to meet the needs of children in foster care.

Home Visits

The assessor completes multiple home visits to evaluate the safety, cleanliness, sleeping arrangements, emergency planning, supervision, family interactions, and overall suitability of the residence according to Ohio certification standards.

Topics Covered

• Motivation for becoming a foster caregiver
• Understanding foster care as temporary care
• Commitment to reunification and permanency
• Working with birth families
• Family history and relationships
• Childhood experiences of applicants
• Parenting philosophy
• Discipline practices
• Trauma-informed parenting
• Child development
• Attachment, grief, and loss
• Behavior management
• Ability to care for children with special needs
• Physical and mental health
• Substance use history
• Criminal and child welfare history
• Financial stability
• Employment schedules
• Transportation
• Support systems
• Cultural competency
• Religious practices
• Confidentiality
• Mandated reporting
• Educational advocacy
• Medical advocacy
• Household safety
• Fire prevention and emergency planning
• Pets and animals
• Firearms and weapons
• Bedroom arrangements
• Placement preferences
• Family strengths and areas needing support

Timeline

The home study is completed while applicants participate in pre-service training and complete background checks, documentation, references, and home safety requirements. Most home studies are completed within the overall four- to six-month certification process.

Bedroom Rules

Each foster child must have an individual bed with appropriate bedding and sufficient bedroom space. Sleeping arrangements must provide reasonable privacy and comply with Ohio certification standards regarding age, gender, supervision, and safety.

Smoke Detectors

Homes must have properly functioning smoke detectors installed in locations required by state and local fire codes. Agencies verify smoke detector operation during the home assessment.

Fire Extinguisher

Homes should maintain appropriate fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers when required by the supervising agency or local fire authority. Foster caregivers must also maintain an emergency evacuation plan for the household.

Medications

Prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, controlled substances, vitamins, and medical supplies must be stored safely and made inaccessible to children when appropriate based on age and developmental needs.

Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning products, chemicals, poisons, pesticides, fuels, alcohol, sharp tools, and other hazardous materials must be securely stored where children cannot access them.

Firearms

Firearms and ammunition must be legally possessed and securely stored according to Ohio law and agency certification standards. Agencies review firearm storage during the home assessment.

Pools

Swimming pools, hot tubs, ponds, and other water hazards must be safely maintained and secured. Agencies may require fencing, locked gates, safety covers, rescue equipment, or additional supervision plans depending on the property.

Pets

Pets and other animals must be healthy, appropriately vaccinated when required, safely supervised, and must not present a danger to foster children.

Vehicle Requirements

Vehicles used to transport foster children must be properly registered, insured, maintained in safe operating condition, and operated by licensed drivers using appropriate child restraint systems and seat belts.

Fingerprinting

All applicants and adult household members must complete fingerprint-based criminal background checks through both the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Child Abuse Registry

Applicants and adult household members are screened for child abuse and neglect history. Additional child welfare checks may be required for states where applicants previously resided.

Criminal History

Background reviews include Ohio BCI records, FBI records, child welfare history, sex offender registry information, and other records required by Ohio law before certification.

Disqualifying Offenses

Certain criminal convictions, substantiated child abuse findings, or placement on the sex offender registry permanently disqualify applicants under Ohio law. Other offenses may be evaluated individually according to state regulations.

Additional Checks

Additional reviews may include driving records, personal references, medical documentation, financial information, employment verification, and interviews conducted during the home study.

Steps

• Contact a county Public Children Services Agency or licensed Private Child Placing Agency.
• Attend the required foster care orientation.
• Submit the foster caregiver application.
• Complete all required pre-service training.
• Participate in the comprehensive home study.
• Complete interviews with household members.
• Submit medical documentation.
• Provide personal references.
• Complete fingerprint-based BCI and FBI background checks.
• Complete child abuse and neglect screenings.
• Pass the home safety assessment.
• Correct any identified safety deficiencies.
• Receive agency recommendation for certification.
• Obtain foster home certification from the Ohio Department of Children and Youth through the supervising agency.
• Discuss placement preferences and certified capacity.
• Complete ongoing training and maintain certification requirements.

Average Timeline

Most Ohio foster home certifications are completed within approximately four to six months depending on training schedules, documentation, background check processing, and agency workload.

Renewal Requirements

Ohio foster home certificates must generally be renewed every two years. Renewal includes updated home assessments, continued compliance with certification standards, required documentation, and completion of continuing education.

Ongoing Training

Certified foster caregivers must complete continuing education during each certification period. Ongoing training addresses topics such as trauma, behavior management, cultural competency, permanency, child development, mandated reporting, medication management, and other subjects that improve caregiving skills.

How Placements Work

After certification, county agencies or private child placing agencies contact foster caregivers when a child needs placement. Matching decisions consider the child's age, needs, sibling relationships, school stability, visitation plan, cultural identity, medical needs, and the foster family's certified capacity, strengths, and preferences.

Can Decline Placements

Yes. Foster caregivers may decline any placement they do not believe they can safely or successfully support. Families are encouraged to gather as much information as possible before accepting a placement.

Emergency Placements

Ohio utilizes emergency foster placements when children must be removed immediately for their safety. Because these situations develop quickly, agencies may initially have limited information and provide additional details after placement.

Sibling Groups

Ohio makes every reasonable effort to place siblings together whenever safe and appropriate. If siblings cannot be placed together, agencies work to preserve sibling relationships through visitation and ongoing contact.

Age Preferences

Applicants discuss the ages, number of children, sibling groups, medical conditions, disabilities, behavioral needs, and placement types they feel prepared to support. These preferences help agencies identify appropriate placement matches.

Monthly Board Rate

Certified Ohio foster caregivers receive monthly foster care maintenance payments to help cover the ordinary costs of caring for children, including food, clothing, shelter, supervision, transportation, and personal expenses. Payment amounts are established by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth and vary according to the child's age, level of care, and individual needs. Children requiring specialized or treatment foster care services may qualify for higher reimbursement rates.

Clothing Allowance

Children entering foster care without adequate clothing may qualify for an initial clothing allowance. Additional clothing assistance may also be available when justified by the child's individual needs and agency policies.

Daycare Assistance

Childcare assistance may be available when foster caregivers require childcare to maintain employment, attend school, participate in required training, or meet other approved needs identified in the child's case plan.

Medical Coverage

Children in Ohio foster care receive comprehensive healthcare coverage through Ohio Medicaid. Benefits generally include physician visits, hospitalization, emergency care, dental services, vision care, prescription medications, behavioral health treatment, counseling, therapy services, and medically necessary specialty care.

Mileage Reimbursement

County Public Children Services Agencies and Private Child Placing Agencies may reimburse approved transportation expenses related to foster care, including travel to medical appointments, therapy, family visitation, court hearings, educational activities, and other case-related services. Reimbursement policies vary by agency.

Additional Benefits

Additional assistance may include respite care, tutoring, educational support, behavioral health services, independent living services for older youth, transportation assistance, recreation opportunities, specialized medical equipment, interpreter services, and other resources based upon the child's individual needs.

Respite Care

Certified foster caregivers may utilize approved respite providers who temporarily care for foster children during emergencies, illness, vacations, or caregiver fatigue. Respite care helps improve placement stability and caregiver well-being.

Support Groups

Ohio foster caregivers have access to local, regional, and statewide support groups, educational conferences, caregiver associations, and networking opportunities through county agencies, private agencies, and foster parent organizations.

Mentoring

Many agencies offer mentoring programs that pair newly certified foster caregivers with experienced foster families who provide guidance regarding placements, documentation, court hearings, trauma-informed parenting, communication with birth families, and navigating Ohio's child welfare system.

Counseling

Children may receive trauma-informed counseling, behavioral health treatment, psychiatric services, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, developmental services, substance use treatment, and other medically necessary supports. Foster caregivers receive assistance coordinating these services.

Crisis Support

County agencies and private child placing agencies provide crisis intervention services, emergency placement support, behavioral consultation, after-hours assistance, and emergency contacts to help foster caregivers respond to urgent situations.

Available

Yes. Ohio supports foster-to-adopt placements for children whose permanency goal changes from reunification to adoption. Many foster caregivers ultimately adopt children placed in their homes after reunification is no longer possible.

Process

Families first become certified foster caregivers and support reunification efforts while caring for children. If reunification cannot be safely achieved and parental rights are terminated, the foster family may be considered as the adoptive family when adoption is determined to be in the child's best interests. A separate adoption approval process must be completed before the adoption is finalized.

Legal Risk

Yes. Foster care always involves legal risk because reunification remains the primary permanency goal for most children entering foster care. Foster caregivers should understand that adoption cannot be guaranteed.

Adoption Subsidy

Many children adopted from Ohio foster care qualify for adoption assistance. Eligible families may receive monthly adoption subsidy payments, Medicaid coverage, reimbursement for certain nonrecurring adoption expenses, and post-adoption support services depending upon the child's eligibility and needs.

Available

Yes. Ohio gives priority to placement with appropriate relatives and kinship caregivers whenever doing so is safe and in the child's best interests. Kinship placements help children maintain family relationships, culture, identity, and community connections.

Licensing Differences

Ohio offers both licensed kinship foster care and kinship caregiver programs. Relatives may initially care for children through kinship arrangements before pursuing full foster home certification. Certified kinship foster caregivers must meet the same certification standards as other foster caregivers, although agencies often provide additional assistance during the certification process.

Financial Support

Licensed kinship foster caregivers generally receive the same foster care maintenance payments, Medicaid coverage for children, training opportunities, respite care, and support services available to non-relative foster caregivers. Other kinship caregivers may qualify for Ohio's Kinship Permanency Incentive Program (KPIP), Ohio Works First child-only benefits, childcare assistance, Guardianship Assistance, adoption assistance, and additional county-based support programs depending upon eligibility.

Can I become a foster caregiver if I am single?

Yes. Ohio welcomes qualified single adults, married couples, divorced individuals, widowed individuals, and other qualified family structures. Every applicant is evaluated based on their ability to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home.

How old do I have to be?

Applicants must be at least 18 years old to become certified foster caregivers in Ohio.

Do I have to own my home?

No. Applicants may rent or own their residence provided it meets Ohio foster home certification standards.

Can I work outside the home?

Yes. Many certified foster caregivers work full-time or part-time. Families must demonstrate they can provide appropriate supervision, transportation, and care for children.

Do I need to have children of my own?

No. Many successful foster caregivers have never had biological or adopted children before fostering.

Is there a minimum income requirement?

There is no specific minimum income. Applicants must demonstrate they are financially stable and able to support their household without depending upon foster care reimbursement payments.

What background checks are required?

Applicants and all adult household members complete fingerprint-based criminal background checks through both the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and the FBI, along with child abuse and neglect screenings and other required background reviews.

Will a criminal conviction automatically disqualify me?

Not necessarily. Certain offenses permanently disqualify applicants under Ohio law, while other convictions are evaluated according to state regulations and the specific circumstances involved.

Is pre-service training required?

Yes. Ohio requires a minimum of 36 hours of approved pre-service training before foster home certification.

Is a home study required?

Yes. Every applicant completes a comprehensive home study conducted by a certified assessor before certification.

How long does certification take?

Most applicants complete the certification process within approximately four to six months depending on training schedules, background checks, documentation, and agency workload.

How often do I renew my certification?

Ohio foster home certificates are generally renewed every two years following completion of required continuing education and an updated certification review.

Is ongoing training required?

Yes. Certified foster caregivers must complete continuing education during each certification period to maintain their certification.

Can I have pets?

Yes. Pets are permitted provided they are healthy, appropriately vaccinated when required, safely supervised, and do not create a safety risk for foster children.

Can I own firearms?

Yes. Firearms and ammunition must be legally possessed and securely stored according to Ohio law and foster home certification requirements.

Can foster children share bedrooms?

Yes. Bedroom arrangements must comply with Ohio certification standards regarding age, gender, available space, privacy, and the individual needs of each child.

Can I choose which children I foster?

Yes. Families identify the ages, number of children, sibling groups, medical needs, behavioral needs, disabilities, and placement types they feel prepared to support.

Can I decline a placement?

Yes. Foster caregivers may decline placements they do not believe they can safely or successfully support.

Will I know everything about a child before placement?

Agencies provide all available information before placement whenever possible. During emergency placements, complete information may not yet be available.

Does Ohio try to keep siblings together?

Yes. Agencies make every reasonable effort to place siblings together whenever doing so is safe and appropriate.

Does Ohio prioritize relatives?

Yes. Appropriate relatives and kinship caregivers receive priority consideration whenever placement with family is safe and in the child's best interests.

Can relatives become certified foster caregivers?

Yes. Relatives may become certified foster caregivers and generally receive the same reimbursement and support services available to non-relative foster caregivers after certification.

Am I expected to support reunification?

Yes. Foster caregivers are expected to actively support reunification whenever it is safe and appropriate because reunification is the primary permanency goal for most children entering foster care.

Will I receive financial assistance?

Yes. Certified foster caregivers receive monthly maintenance payments and may qualify for additional assistance depending upon the child's individual needs.

Do foster children receive medical insurance?

Yes. Children placed in Ohio foster care receive healthcare coverage through Ohio Medicaid.

Is respite care available?

Yes. Approved respite care providers are available to help foster caregivers during emergencies, illness, vacations, or other temporary caregiving needs.

Can I adopt a child placed in my home?

Possibly. If reunification is no longer possible and adoption becomes the child's permanency plan, the foster family may be considered as the adoptive family when adoption is determined to be in the child's best interests.

Does fostering guarantee adoption?

No. Foster care is intended to provide temporary care while families work toward reunification whenever safely possible.

Is adoption assistance available?

Yes. Many children adopted from Ohio foster care qualify for adoption assistance, including financial support, Medicaid coverage, reimbursement for certain adoption expenses, and post-adoption support services.

How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect?

Contact your local Public Children Services Agency or the Ohio Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

State Agency

Ohio Department of Children and Youth

Phone

1-866-886-3537

Email

[email protected]

Address

246 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215