We serve primarily school-aged children, some of which are a part of a sibling group who need to be adopted together. Most of the children have endured traumatic life experiences despite their young ages. Abuse and/or neglect have forced their permanent removal from their birth parents’ custody. Many have emotional and behavioral problems ranging from mild to severe. We also serve children in counseling, and/or with disabilities.

Any person at least 18 years old, regardless of marital status, is eligible for licensure. There are no income requirements; our only goal is to ensure children are placed with families that are fiscally responsible. It is not necessary to become a homeowner; your home can be a rented apartment, condominium, town home, duplex, or mobile home.

No. There are no agency fees to the family.

Yes. All information that we have as an agency will be shared with you as the foster parents.

We serve Ohio families who live within 90 minutes hours from our office in Warren (Trumbull Co.)

Yes. We do make trans-racial and trans-cultural placements.

The time frame varies; you may wait eight months to a year or more. Families looking to foster older children, sibling groups, or moderate to severe special needs will wait less time than families interested in very young children with mild special needs.

The length of stay for a child differs from case to case and depends on the child’s home situation, the reason the child was placed in foster care, and the level of services that the child and family require.

No. In fact, parenting or grand-parenting experience is a plus.

Yes. Many foster parents have two-income households. As for all families with dependent children, plans for appropriate childcare are essential before placement in a home.

As a foster parent, our staff is available to you throughout your fostering journey. We also provide a monthly Parent Resource Group designed to bring foster parents together to learn from and support one another in the journey. This Resource Group is led by a staff person and offers Continuing Education credits needed to maintain your foster care license.

These children have all experienced trauma in one or more ways, and as a result often struggle with mental and/or physical pain. Also common is an inability to trust anyone for fear of rejection, which is often played out by pushing boundaries. With consistent love, discipline and care however, many of these children are able to heal and build a strong bond with their foster parent(s).

Your first steps in becoming a foster parent through us is to attend an orientation and a series of education classes. Upon completion, your application will be processed by a social worker. A home study will be conducted as part of the evaluation process. A social worker will appraise your family unit’s background, interests, strengths, and challenges to align you with the best possible match to a child. Some paperwork is involved, including medical forms and income statements, and background and criminal record checks.

Yes. A signed written statement between the agencies involved and the family is required. A transfer fee will apply and depends on the length of time you have been licensed through NOAS.

There are varying reasons for why a child enters the foster care system. Some of the most common reasons are for neglect and abuse (physical and sexual). More recently with the opioid epidemic, we have seen children repeatedly coming into care because of parent’s incarceration and death.

Foster parents are paid a daily stipend to care for the child and are supported by our professional staff every step of the way.