Foster Care & Adoption Frequently Asked Questions

You must be at least 18 years old to become a foster parent and to adopt a child.

No, there is no income requirement. You must be able to meet your current household needs.

No, you can be married, single, divorced, widowed or be a co-parent.

No, you can rent. But you must have adequate space available and your landlord’s approval to care for children in foster care.

Yes. Extra help for the cost of child care may be available.

No, but each child must have a separate bed. Children in foster care cannot have a bedroom in the attic or basement. After age five, boys and girls must sleep in separate rooms.

For the first two years, licensed foster parents may take up to three children. After two years of service, they may take up to five children with a total of 10 children maximum including your own children, children in foster care and any children for whom you provide care.

You may ask for the age and gender of children you think would fit in best with your family situation and needs.

Possibly, each situation would be reviewed under the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services rules for family foster care. If it is found that the person’s criminal record meets the rehabilitation requirements of the State of Ohio rules, then the person could be considered as a potential foster parent. All adult household members must have a criminal background check.

Once you have completed the required pre-service training AND completed and turned in all required paperwork, you will fill out and submit an application. Some of the required paperwork includes: a fire inspection and safety audit of the home, a medical statement from a doctor for each member of the family, and police checks and fingerprints for all adults in the household. Then a caseworker, known as a Licensing Specialist, will be assigned to begin the home study process.

The home study is a process that involves information sharing and gathering for the purpose of determining an applicant’s suitability in meeting the general criteria to be licensed and/or approved as a foster or foster-to-adopt parent based on state and agency eligibility requirements.

The home study is a detailed process that involves all household members. During the home study, all family members age four and older will be interviewed by the Licensing Specialist. The process affords applicants the opportunity to assess whether or not foster care and/or adoption is the appropriate option for their family. The home study process also provides the applicants and the agency an opportunity to mutually assess which child(ren) in the agency’s care the applicants are best suited to parent.

After your home study has been completed and approved, the agency recommends the family to the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services for licensing. When you receive your license, the agency can begin placing children with your family.