Foster Care and Adoption in Ohio

Every year, people open their homes to children in need − and they don’t all have fancy houses or graduate degrees. What they do have is 100% Heart.

Choose Your Path

Thousands of children in Ohio need stable, consistent and loving homes. Becoming a kinship, foster or adoptive parent is a serious, yet rewarding experience that requires research and preparation. Choose your path below to start your journey.

Top Resources

Learn more about kinship care, foster care and adoption in Ohio and how you can have a lasting positive impact on a child’s life.

What Is Kinship Care?

When a child cannot live with his or her parent, kinship caregivers often take over the full-time responsibility of caring for that child, providing ongoing stability, support and guidance.

Kinship Care Versus Foster Care

Kinship and Foster care are similar in many ways. Let us help you understand the difference and your options.

Foster Parent Rights & Responsibilities

Legally, foster parents do not have custody of foster children, but they do share the daily responsibility. Read about the rights of foster parents in Ohio.

Adoptive Parent Rights & Responsibilities

In Ohio, once the adoption is finalized, adoptive parents have full custody of the child. Learn what other rights and responsibilities they have along the way.

The Goals of Foster Care

The goal of foster care is to temporarily care for a child until they can be reunified with their family. Learn more about reunification.

How to Become a Foster Parent In Ohio

Learn about the process and each step required to become a foster parent in Ohio. Start your research here.

How to Choose Your Path

Heard about foster care or adoption and want to learn more? Learn the difference between foster parenting and adoption then choose your path.

More Resources

News

Executive Director of Ohio Family and Children First Named

July 19, 2019

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced the appointment of Representative Sarah LaTourette to serve as the Executive Director of Ohio Family and Children First.

News

Working with a Public Children Services Agency

July 09, 2019

The PCSA’s job is to protect children from abuse and neglect. Sometimes the agency becomes involved because a family asks for help and sometimes another party reports that a child is in danger.

News

Home Visitation Report Released, Pilot Program Announced

June 04, 2019

“This innovative approach is one way to encourage expansion of these programs. Working together communities can invest in their own success.” said Governor DeWine.