If you suspect child abuse, call our 24/7 Hotline   |   419-213-2273 (CARE)

Become A Foster Parent

Visit our
Facebook
page.

To learn more about becoming a foster parent:
Call 419-213-3336, attend a community recruitment event,  and/or fill out the”Request More Information” form below.

To learn more about becoming a foster parent:
Attend a community recruitment event;
call 419-213-3336
and/or fill out the”Request More Information” form below.

Visit our new Foster Care Facebook page.

Foster care provides temporary, alternative care for children in a state certified home while the LCCS staff works with the birth family with the goal of reunification.

Foster Care - General Information

Thinking About Becoming A Foster Parent?
Here’s What You Need To Know:

Why Foster Care?

Foster care provides licensed, substitute caregivers for children whose birth parents or family of origin are unable, for any number of reasons, to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment in their own home. Foster care provides children with a temporary, family setting in order to preserve relationships, promote well being, and ensure permanency for children.

When a child cannot live safely at home, LCCS first looks to a suitable relative to provide care. Many children who are in substitute care live with relatives or with “kin,” such as a close family friend, teacher, etc. When no relatives or kin are available, the child is placed with a foster family. Foster parents provide daily care for children until they return home or permanency is achieved. Not only are they surrogate caregivers; they often provide ongoing support to the child’s birth family before and after reunification.

Foster parents become advocates for the child: at school, with healthcare professionals, and with the child’s caseworker. Most importantly, foster parents provide care in a family setting. Children entering foster care are victims of abuse, neglect, and/or dependency. They need guidance, nurturing, and a stable environment where they can feel protected and safe. Children with more serious needs receive specialized care in one of our treatment foster homes.

All foster homes are licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, in cooperation with Lucas County Children Services. Foster homes are recertified every two years. Prospective foster parents must complete the free, pre-service training, have a completed home study, and agree to a criminal background check. In Lucas County, there is a continuous need for foster parents to care for children. LCCS also seeks out individuals with special skills – mental health, developmental disabilities, special education, law enforcement, and others – to become treatment caregivers.

Foster Parent Supports

  • Each foster family is assigned a foster care caseworker to support, advocate and offer resources to help stabilize the family and the children in the home. This is in addition to the child’s caseworker.

  • Foster parents receive a stipend to offset the cost of caring for the foster children in the home.

  • Health care coverage is provided for each foster child.

  • LCCS foster parents who work, but who are not eligible for JFS child care funding, can receive financial assistance.

Foster caregiver training

Lucas County Children Services, in cooperation with the Ohio University Consortium for Child and Adult Services, provides free, in-service training to prospective licensed foster caregivers.

Courses are offered several times throughout the year in different configurations. Each course includes twelve, three-hour sessions. Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent is welcome. There is no up-front commitment, although you must attend each individual class (in any order) within a set period of time. The knowledge gained through this program will enable you to make an informed decision about whether becoming a foster parent is right for you.

To learn more about becoming a foster parent:
Call 419-213-3336, attend a community recruitment event, 
and/or fill out the “Foster Care Inquiry Form” form below.