Shelter Care Therapeutic Foster Program           

            Shelter Care has been serving youth and families in the Summit County area since 1972.  In 2006, Shelter Care added to its continuum of care a therapeutic foster home program.  This program was developed in response to the specific needs of at-risk youth who are in need of a loving, nurturing, and safe home.  There is a growing population of youth between the ages of 11-17 who have been in multiple placements and are in need of a stable home environment.  Therapeutic foster care allows these youth to receive individual therapy and case management services while living in a family environment conducive to growth.      

            Shelter Care therapeutic foster parents are best described as caring people who provide a safe and temporary home for youth in Summit County.  They make a commitment to provide a loving, structured, and safe home for the youth to develop.  Becoming a foster parent means taking on the responsibility, as well as experiencing the rewards of guiding and helping youth who are in need of a healthy and loving home.    

            The following links will help you to learn more about the Shelter Care therapeutic foster care program.  If interested in opening your heart and home to a youth in need, please call Shelter Care at 330-630-5600.

• Characteristics of youth served
• Qualifications of treatment foster parents
• Range of services provided
• Frequently asked questions
• Steps to becoming foster parents
• Benefits
• Training Calendar
• Links
• Contact information

Characteristics of Youth Served

• Age range is 10-18
• Most have experienced abuse or neglect in their childhood
• Most have had at least one previous placement outside of their homes
• 60% of the youth are on medication
• In need of a safe and tranquil environment
• Attend public schools yet often have an Individualized Education Plan and may be placed in special education programs

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Qualifications of treatment foster parents

• Married Couple
• Minimum 22 years of age
• The couple is willing to complete the required training
• Completion of a home study
• Meet the State of Ohio investigative requirements
• Sufficient income to meet current financial needs including rent/mortgage, insurance, utilities, etc.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and own a car
• Preference to reside in Summit County

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Range of Services Provided

• Training for foster parents (50 hours of pre-placement, 60 hours of training to maintain licensure during a two year cycle)
• Individual case management support for foster parents and 24 hour emergency contact
• Individual counseling for foster children
• Family counseling (when applicable)
• Tax free compensation
• Funding to include medical care and clothing for the youth
• Emergency care for youth in crisis
• Respite services
• Referral fees for recruiting other treatment foster parents who become certified

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many children are placed per home?

      Only one or two 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. 

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.

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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. 

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Benefits of becoming foster parents

In addition to financial compensation, being a foster parent is an opportunity to provide love, and a stable home environment for a hurting child.  It is a way to make a significant difference in the life of a young person whether they are in your home on a short term or a long term basis. 

Contact Information

If interested in becoming a therapeutic foster parent or learning more about the process, please call the Shelter Care main office at 330-630-5600 or you can submit your contact information by email. 

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