Frequently Asked Questions
How many children are placed per home?
Between one and four youth are placed in each home to better meet the needs of the youth in care.
How is Shelter Care’s program different from other programs?
Shelter Care therapeutic foster parents benefit from the supportive services in place that occur on at least a weekly basis. The supportive services are provided by a case manager and licensed therapist assigned to each youth, in addition to the counseling team that is supervised by a licensed psychologist. Shelter Care’s goal is to provide the best intensive supportive services for the youth in care.
How can I help financially?
Shelter Care is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt orginization. Your tax deductable gift can be made by visiting our Donors page.
Can anyone become a treatment foster parent?
Treatment foster care is not for everyone. Couples are needed who can commit to the youth that we serve and provide a safe and nurturing home for the youth to develop.
Do we need to live in Summit County in order to become therapeutic foster parents at Shelter Care?
No, living in Summit County is preferred yet it is not required.
How long does the process take to become a therapeutic foster parent?
Typically, the process from start to finish takes three to six months to complete.
Steps to becoming a foster parent
Initial Contact
At the point of initial contact, couples will be provided with the basic information regarding becoming a foster parent. Questions about fostering are strongly encouraged. It is important to think through the impact of fostering on one’s marriage and family. Couples will be asked basic questions about their family and home setting and will be invited to attend an orientation meeting.
Orientation
The orientation process provides a more in depth review of the therapeutic foster program and the steps in becoming a foster parent. The training topics and home study process will be reviewed in addition to answering additional questions that you will have regarding Shelter Care.
Pre-service training
Each prospective foster couple is required to participate in 50 hours of pre-service training. These classes are designed to assist in making a final decision about becoming foster parents. The purpose of the training is to help couples review and learn parenting skills necessary for living with foster children, as well as anticipating challenges. The rules and regulations of foster parenting are reviewed for licensure, in addition to the numerous rewards in making the difference in the lives of children.
The Home Study
The home study is an in-depth interview process that typically takes three months to complete. An assessor will come to a prospective foster home to interview members of the family as well as other residents living in the home. The primary purpose of the home study is to determine that a couple meets the basic requirements of Shelter Care and is suitable to provide care of foster children.
A licensed assessor will determine if the couple meets the criteria by gathering background information regarding the family.
This process includes the following:
- Understanding the motivation for becoming a foster parent
- Ensuring a safe and nurturing environment
- Criminal background checks for those individuals 18 years and older who live in the home
- Fire inspection
- Physicals for all members of the household
Licensing/Certification
Upon completion of the home study, a recommendation is sent to the state of Ohio for licensure of the foster home. Upon acceptance, the foster home license will be valid for two years.
On-going training
Each foster parent will then be required to attend 60 hours of training during the two year licensing period.
Child Placement
After certification/licensure, Shelter Care will match each foster parent couple with a young person.
