Frequently Asked Questions
| * How long is my foster parent license active? Your foster parent license will be active for two years. At this time you can choose to be re-certified if you have completed your sixty hours of training. * What are the requirements of re-certification? In order to be re-certified you must complete at least 60 hours of continuing education within two years. A criminal background check is required every four years upon recertification. Transitions for Youth provides training to their foster parents bi-weekly at the foster parent meetings. * What does the home study consist of? A certified adoption assessor will conduct the home study. A tour of the home will be required in order to determine sleeping arrangements for children placed in the home as well as any general safety issues or concerns. Family members will be interviewed with questions including, but not limited to, employment history, residential history, personality, reasons for wanting to foster parent and available support systems. A check list will also be completed at this time to determine what type of characteristics you would or would not accept in a placement. * How long after I complete my application does it take to become licensed? After recommendation by the agency for licensure it takes approximately one month to become licensed. * How long after becoming licensed does it take to have a placement? The answer to this question varies. Although there is a definite need for foster parents, children who match your preferences may not be immediately available. The more open you are to gender, ethnicity, age and range of behavior, the more likely a child will be available quicker. * What do I get for being a foster parent? The rewards of being a foster parent are endless. You have the opportunity to assist a young person during a very difficult time in his/her life. Financial reimbursement is provided to aid in caring for the foster children. Pay is based on a per day rate and varies with each child. The agency provides clothing, school fees, books, uniforms and shoes for extra-curricular activities. Money is also provided for birthday and Christmas gifts. The agency reimburses foster parents for travel by providing gas cards. * Can I still work outside of the home? Yes. If you must work outside of the home it is possible. Respite or day care services would need to be utilized when children were not in school. * Where do the foster children come from? We accept children from all eighty-eight counties in the State of Ohio. Many of our kids have special needs, which may or may not involve physical, mental, or emotional difficulties, involvement with juvenile court, or history of neglect, abuse or sexual offenses. * Do you have foster parent support meetings? How often are they held? We do have foster parent support meetings that are held twice a month. These meetings are in addition to the support group we have for the foster children. |
