More Than One Path to a Forever Family
For many children in Lake and Geauga counties, a safe and stable home can make all the difference. While the path to adoption may look different for every family, the goal is the same: giving children the chance to belong, thrive and grow up surrounded by care.
Throughout Northeast Ohio, children in foster care need adults willing to provide temporary homes while families work toward reunification — and, when reunification is no longer possible, permanent homes through adoption.
November is National Adoption Month, an annual effort to bring attention to children and teens waiting for families and to the adults who open their homes to them.“National Adoption Month is a celebration of those members in our community who have taken a chance on children and made them a member of their family,” says Eugene Tetrick of the Lake County Department of Job and Family Services. “These people had the courage and determination to ‘change their normal’ by bringing a child in need into their home.”
Foster care comes first
When children enter county custody because they cannot safely remain at home, the initial goal is generally to reunify them with their parents or caregivers whenever that can be accomplished safely.
Foster parents provide temporary homes during that process. If reunification ultimately is not possible and the court grants permanent custody to the county, adoption may become the plan.
Geauga County places particular emphasis on this progression. The county generally licenses its foster families as foster-to-adopt, meaning families begin by supporting the goal of reunification but may later become the first option for adoption if the child needs a permanent home.
“Families sometimes come to us thinking adoption begins with choosing a child who is already waiting,” says Allie Hulsmann, recruitment specialist with Geauga County Job & Family Services. “In Geauga County, the journey often begins with fostering and supporting reunification. If reunification is no longer possible, that foster family may ultimately become the child’s permanent family.”
Who are the children waiting?Children who need adoptive families are not all toddlers or infants. Many are school-age children or teenagers. Some are brothers and sisters who hope to remain together, while others have medical, developmental, emotional or behavioral needs related to experiences they have endured.
Lake County conducts adoption-only home studies for residents interested in adopting children who meet Ohio’s definition of having “special needs.” That term can include children age 6 or older, sibling groups, children who have spent an extended period in permanent custody, and children with medical, developmental, emotional or behavioral needs.
Geauga County likewise identifies school-age youngsters, teenagers and sibling groups among the children who most often need permanent families. Families approved through Geauga may be matched with children in Geauga County, elsewhere in Ohio or even another state.
“We especially need families who are open to school-age children, teenagers and siblings who want to remain together,” Hulsmann says. “These children have already experienced loss, and keeping important relationships intact can make a tremendous difference.”
Who can become a foster or adoptive parent?
Prospective parents do not need to fit one particular family model.
Geauga County similarly welcomes single or married adults who can meet licensing requirements, pass background checks and provide a safe, loving home.
The most important question is not whether a prospective parent’s household looks a certain way, but whether that family can offer patience, stability and commitment.
What does it cost?
Adoption through a public children-services agency generally involves far fewer out-of-pocket expenses than private adoption.
“Oftentimes, those who become licensed as foster and adoptive parents through the county are looking to grow their family through adoption as the costs of private adoptions are too expensive,” Tetrick says.
Neither Lake nor Geauga county charge residents for an adoption home study, although families may incur smaller expenses such as physical-exam copays or criminal background checks.
Financial assistance and post-adoption resources may also be available for eligible children. Ohio’s Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy, for example, can provide qualifying families with funding for specialized services after adoption.
The need continues
Lake County says it typically has about 80 children in custody, living in both foster homes and residential placements. There is a continual need for additional foster families to provide homes to children in care. Currently, 13 children are in need of permanency in Lake County.
Additionally, over this past year, 13 Lake County children were adopted. In Geauga County, approximately 21 children are currently in county custody, with 3 still in need of permanent homes.
Whatever the number in a particular county, the goal remains the same: giving children who cannot safely return home the opportunity to grow up knowing where they belong.
For some families, that opportunity begins with foster care. For others, it may begin with adoption.
For a child who has spent months or years wondering what comes next, it can end with something much simpler: a family that stays.
LAKE COUNTY
Lake County offers families three options: foster care, adoption or foster-and-adopt.
Families pursuing adoption-only home studies must be Lake County residents and interested in adopting children classified as having special needs under Ohio guidelines. Foster-and-adopt families can provide temporary care while also maintaining an approved adoption home study.
Prospective families complete 24 hours of preservice training, and a home study generally takes three to six months, depending partly on the applicant’s availability.
Lake County does not charge for the adoption home study, although some incidental costs may apply.
To learn more:
Call 440-350-4218, 440-918-4218
Visit www.lakecountyfostercare.com
GEAUGA COUNTY
Geauga County generally does not license families solely for adoption. Instead, its foster parents are licensed foster-to-adopt.
Throughout Northeast Ohio, children in foster care need adults willing to provide temporary homes while families work toward reunification — and, when reunification is no longer possible, permanent homes through adoption.
November is National Adoption Month, an annual effort to bring attention to children and teens waiting for families and to the adults who open their homes to them.“National Adoption Month is a celebration of those members in our community who have taken a chance on children and made them a member of their family,” says Eugene Tetrick of the Lake County Department of Job and Family Services. “These people had the courage and determination to ‘change their normal’ by bringing a child in need into their home.”
Foster care comes first
When children enter county custody because they cannot safely remain at home, the initial goal is generally to reunify them with their parents or caregivers whenever that can be accomplished safely.
Foster parents provide temporary homes during that process. If reunification ultimately is not possible and the court grants permanent custody to the county, adoption may become the plan.
Geauga County places particular emphasis on this progression. The county generally licenses its foster families as foster-to-adopt, meaning families begin by supporting the goal of reunification but may later become the first option for adoption if the child needs a permanent home.
“Families sometimes come to us thinking adoption begins with choosing a child who is already waiting,” says Allie Hulsmann, recruitment specialist with Geauga County Job & Family Services. “In Geauga County, the journey often begins with fostering and supporting reunification. If reunification is no longer possible, that foster family may ultimately become the child’s permanent family.”
Who are the children waiting?Children who need adoptive families are not all toddlers or infants. Many are school-age children or teenagers. Some are brothers and sisters who hope to remain together, while others have medical, developmental, emotional or behavioral needs related to experiences they have endured.
Lake County conducts adoption-only home studies for residents interested in adopting children who meet Ohio’s definition of having “special needs.” That term can include children age 6 or older, sibling groups, children who have spent an extended period in permanent custody, and children with medical, developmental, emotional or behavioral needs.
Geauga County likewise identifies school-age youngsters, teenagers and sibling groups among the children who most often need permanent families. Families approved through Geauga may be matched with children in Geauga County, elsewhere in Ohio or even another state.
“We especially need families who are open to school-age children, teenagers and siblings who want to remain together,” Hulsmann says. “These children have already experienced loss, and keeping important relationships intact can make a tremendous difference.”
Who can become a foster or adoptive parent?
Prospective parents do not need to fit one particular family model.
Lake County allows single or married adults to become foster or adoptive parents, and many foster families have two working parents. Foster children also do not necessarily need their own bedrooms; room-sharing is permitted under certain age and gender guidelines.
Geauga County similarly welcomes single or married adults who can meet licensing requirements, pass background checks and provide a safe, loving home.
The most important question is not whether a prospective parent’s household looks a certain way, but whether that family can offer patience, stability and commitment.
What does it cost?
Adoption through a public children-services agency generally involves far fewer out-of-pocket expenses than private adoption.
“Oftentimes, those who become licensed as foster and adoptive parents through the county are looking to grow their family through adoption as the costs of private adoptions are too expensive,” Tetrick says.
Neither Lake nor Geauga county charge residents for an adoption home study, although families may incur smaller expenses such as physical-exam copays or criminal background checks.
Financial assistance and post-adoption resources may also be available for eligible children. Ohio’s Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy, for example, can provide qualifying families with funding for specialized services after adoption.
The need continues
Lake County says it typically has about 80 children in custody, living in both foster homes and residential placements. There is a continual need for additional foster families to provide homes to children in care. Currently, 13 children are in need of permanency in Lake County.
Additionally, over this past year, 13 Lake County children were adopted. In Geauga County, approximately 21 children are currently in county custody, with 3 still in need of permanent homes.
Whatever the number in a particular county, the goal remains the same: giving children who cannot safely return home the opportunity to grow up knowing where they belong.
For some families, that opportunity begins with foster care. For others, it may begin with adoption.
For a child who has spent months or years wondering what comes next, it can end with something much simpler: a family that stays.
LAKE COUNTY
Lake County offers families three options: foster care, adoption or foster-and-adopt.
Families pursuing adoption-only home studies must be Lake County residents and interested in adopting children classified as having special needs under Ohio guidelines. Foster-and-adopt families can provide temporary care while also maintaining an approved adoption home study.
Prospective families complete 24 hours of preservice training, and a home study generally takes three to six months, depending partly on the applicant’s availability.
Lake County does not charge for the adoption home study, although some incidental costs may apply.
To learn more:
Call 440-350-4218, 440-918-4218
Visit www.lakecountyfostercare.com
GEAUGA COUNTY
Geauga County generally does not license families solely for adoption. Instead, its foster parents are licensed foster-to-adopt.
Families begin by providing foster care and supporting reunification with the child’s birth family. If reunification becomes impossible and the child needs a permanent home, the foster family may become the first adoption option.
Geauga’s adoption efforts particularly focus on school-age children, teenagers and sibling groups. Approved families may also be considered for children legally available for adoption elsewhere in Ohio or outside the state.
For more information
Families interested in beginning the process may contact Allie Hulsmann at 440-285-1205.
Families interested in beginning the process may contact Allie Hulsmann at 440-285-1205.