Foster Care
Step (1) Contact Foster Care Staff
Call: 513.752.1555
Email: beafosterparent@child-focus.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/befosterparents
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChildFocus
Step (2) Attend Orientation
Foster care orientation is an opportunity to meet and talk with foster care staff and learn about foster parenting. Attending orientation does not obligate you to license with us. It merely provides a forum for you to listen to information, ask questions about foster care, the agency, foster parent training and homestudy requirements and learn about the children and families we serve at Child Focus, Inc.
We offer orientation sessions on the first Tuesday of every month at our Clermont County office and the first Thursday of every month at our Hamilton County office from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. If you would like to attend foster care orientation, please contact the foster care team at 513.752.1555 so we can register you for the session. If our standing foster care orientation time doesn't work for you, we are happy to meet with you at an alternate day and time that works with your schedule.
Click here to complete and submit a Foster Parent Inquiry Form
Step (3) Complete Foster Care Training
Following attendance at foster care orientation, you can decide if foster parenting with Child Focus, Inc. is right for you. If you choose to become licensed, we will provide you with a foster care trainer who will prepare you for the rewarding role of caring for a child. The initial foster care training requirement includes 36 hours of child welfare training covering a wide range of topics from basic child development and child abuse and neglect to working with birth families and child welfare staff.
Step (4) Complete the Foster Care Homestudy
While you are completing foster parent training, a Homestudy Assessor will help you complete the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Homestudy. The Homestudy is state required standardized process that consists of successfully completing required criminal history and reference checks, a home fire inspection and safety audit, medical clearance for all household members, and personal interviews with the Homestudy Assessor.
Once the training and Homestudy have been successfully completed, you will be recommended for foster parent certification in the State of Ohio. The process for foster care certification averages 4-6 months to complete.