Hi and welcome to the Athens County Children Services Foster Care and Adoption Informational DVD. This DVD is being provided to you as part of our information packet. We send out information packets to people who inquire about foster care and adoption services through our agency.

Athens County Children Services was founded in 1876 when philanthropist John S. Fowler started a fundraising drive to build a children’s home for Athens County. Since that time our mission has become, “Protecting Children, Strengthening Families, and Securing futures”.

Do you have paper and a pen available? You can use them to take notes or jot down questions as you are viewing this DVD. This is an opportunity for you and your family to become more informed, and to decide if foster care and adoption is right for you. Please remember, there is no obligation to move forward in any way.

To start off, let’s talk about some of the characteristics of successful foster, adoptive and kinship parents. Obviously, you need to enjoy kids. If you don’t like kids, this may not be the best decision for you. We are looking for people who are resilient and can handle crisis situations and surprises. We need people who can recognize when they need help and who are willing to receive help, we don’t look at this as a weakness we look at this as a strength. We want to ensure that you and the child in your home have the best support possible, which includes letting us know if you need some help. Foster children need parents who can work as team members and who are optimistic about human nature and change.

Successful foster, adoptive and kinship parents are neither too bossy nor too permissive. Foster children will challenge you, and we need people who will not indulge in power struggles. We need you to value a child despite their behavior. They may be acting out for attention or because they have not developed appropriate coping skills. Do you think you can respect a child’s existing positive relationships? We want children to maintain contact with positive people in their lives, including grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings. This may come in the form of phone calls, letters and visits. We need strong parents who can allow a child to talk freely about their past, because once a child becomes comfortable in your home and feels safe – they may start disclosing abuse and neglect they have experienced. We will work with you to develop the skills needed to support a child during this process.

Two of the most important characteristics of successful foster, adoptive, and kinship parents are people willing to let a child develop at their own pace, in their own way and reach their own potential and people who are able to keep promises and honor commitments. Children who have experienced abuse and neglect are not able to develop at the same level as other children their own age. For instance, you may foster a child who is three years old and has not developed the ability to walk or you may be fostering a 16 year old who has tantrums because they haven’t been taught proper anger management skills. Foster children have dealt with numerous broken promises and have seen a lack of commitment by the caregivers. They need someone who will stand by them and nurture them.

Children who come into foster care have likely experienced physical abuse, sexual abuse and even neglect. Abuse and neglect can have a tremendous impact on a child’s learning, emotions, behaviors, social development and physical growth. Some foster children show few effects of abuse and neglect, while some have been severely effected. Please understand that a majority of foster children will show effects of the abuse and neglect they have experienced. Staff and team members work with the child to assist them as they process their past.

In a recent survey of foster parents licensed by Athens County Children Services we were able to identify the five most important roles of responsibilities of foster parents. They are: providing safety for a child; loving and nurturing a child; providing support, guidance and discipline; being an advocate for a child; and helping a child progress in their development.

There are six steps to the foster and adopt process. Step one is considered the inquiry. This is your initial contact with the agency when you called, stopped by or received information from us. Step two is attending an information meeting or viewing our informational DVD. Step three is attendance at 36 hours of preservice training. We offer training three times per year at the agency, normally over the span of two weekends. These classes are also offered in surrounding counties and can provide you with a current schedule of classes upon request. After you have completed the classes you will move onto Step four, the application. The application is a packet of information that includes a medical statement, self summary, financial statement, fire evacuation plan, and other important documents. Staff are always available to help you with the application process, just let us know. Step five is the home study process. After you have attended all classes and turned in your completed application you will be assigned an assessor who will start your home study. Depending on your desires to foster, foster to adopt, or adopt will decide who you work with – the placement unit or the adoption unit. The home study process can take up to six months and is an opportunity for you and your assessor to work together to understand the type of children you are able to parent successfully. After the home study and other requirements are completed a decision will be made to license you for foster care and/or approve you for adoption.

There are numerous State and Agency requirements for foster and adoptive parents. You must be 21 years old to foster and at least 18 years old to adopt. The difference in ages allows for an older sibling to adopt their younger siblings, who may have came into the child welfare system. At least one parent must be able to read, write, and speak English or be able to effectively communicate with any child placed in their home and with the agency. You can be a legally married couple, co-parents, or single. All members of the household must be free of any physical, emotional, or mental condition which may endanger a child or seriously impair the ability of the caregiver to care for the child. If you have been diagnosed with a condition, it may not restrict you from foster parenting. Say you have been diagnosed with depression, but are on medication and have been successful with treatment for a significant amount of time. There may be concern, but we can work with you and your doctor to discuss this further and see if moving forward is appropriate for you.

You must be able to prove your income by providing us with recent pay stubs and your most recent taxes. The Agency needs to see that you are financially stable and would not be dependent on a child’s per diem to make ends meet. We do not want to place a child in your home, and have to move them because you are unable to pay your bills. We will also need a medical statement from a licensed physician for all family members saying that you are healthy enough to foster and/or adopt. Again, these are for every member in the household, regardless of age. These are time sensitive and only valid for 6 months, so please wait until you are ready to turn in your application before having your form completed. Any member of the household, over the age of 18, will have to be fingerprinted and complete a criminal record check. There are certain criminal offenses that can automatically exclude you from the application process. Please let us know if you have concerns, and we can share the list of offenses with you. Also, you cannot operate your home as a board house, that means you can not have rooms for rent in your home while you are a licensed foster parent.

You must have a fire inspection that will be completed by the State Fire Marshall’s office. Your assessor will assist you with scheduling this requirement, in addition to having a safety audit of your home completed. You must complete all 36 hours of preservice training for foster and adoptive parents to be licensed or approved. These classes will provide you with invaluable information as you make the decision to move forward with bringing foster and adoptive children into your home. You can register with these classes by calling the agency and asking to speak to the recruiter. Training is available in multiple counties and is free. Furthermore, you must comply with all agency policies and instructions. Policies change, case plans change, team members change – part of being involved in the child welfare system is that things are constantly changing, you must be flexible and able to understand the importance of following rules, policies and instructions.

It is now against the law to deliberately lie and provide false information during the application and home study process. This includes information about previous involvement with children services, criminal histories or any further information that is requested. If you try to deceive the agency during this process you will be disqualified from moving forward. If you have something in your past, like a theft or other charge, please be honest and let us know. We may be able to work with you, but if you do not let us know and we find out later about the offense – you will be disqualified.

Here are pictures of some of the children currently waiting for forever families in Athens County.

There is a need for foster parents who have faith in themselves and in children, who are ready to impact a child’s life in a positive way, and who are ready to gain a sense of pride and accomplishment for their efforts. In 2011, 42 children came into care and needed a place to live. More than half of these children came into care with one or more siblings and needed to be placed together. We have a great need for foster and adoptive homes for kids of all ages, but particularly for school-age children and teenagers. We do prefer adoptive families to have fostering experience, as this allows for the families to understand the impact of abuse and neglect on a child and to understand the services and resources available. Please note that about half of the children adopted through the agency are adopted by their foster parents. Some more stats - in 2011, there were 45 licensed foster homes, including 5 newly licensed homes and transfers; 15 foster parent trainings were held; and, we received 93 inquiries about foster care and adoption.

The child welfare system is comprised of numerous people, entities and agencies. These include Juvenile Court; Children Services; Schools; Medical Personnel; Mental Health Professionals; Pre-school Staff; Neighbors and others. The child welfare system includes anyone in the community who may make a referral to the agency.

The Child Welfare System is a very complicated structure, but we will try to help you understand it during this DVD. The agency gets involved when someone (as mentioned in the previous slide) calls because they are concerned about a child. In 2011, we receive 1,375 phone calls from concerned community members. Of those 1,375 calls 415 were investigated. That means that Agency staff went out and made contact with the child and the caregivers, because there was enough information about possible abuse and/or neglect to make contact. When staff meet with the family, they use their knowledge of the law, experience, and contact with other staff to decide if the child needs to be removed to ensure his or her safety.

If this happens the agency makes contact with Juvenile Court and requests Emergency Custody and place the child in a foster home, if a safe, appropriate kinship home is not identified. If this happens during office hours, the agency will go to Court immediately for a hearing, but if it happens after hours or during the weekend, the Agency will go to Court the next day. At that time, the Court decides if the child is going to remain in foster care or be returned home to their caregivers. If the Agency receives temporary custody, the family will start working with a family service caseworker to develop a case plan, link them to resources, assist them with services – to ensure that the family can be reunited and that the child will be safe, in their home. There are laws put in place so that children do not sit in the child welfare system and wait for years without permanency. That means that the agency has to make a decision after a child has been in temporary custody 12 out of 22 months, the child needs to be safely reunified or a decision about filing for permanent custody needs to be made. During this time, the agency also works with the family on current planning, where if the caregiver cannot get the child back, they have identified another plan for the child. During all of these processes there can be continuances and appeals, making these timelines sometimes longer and will go on for what fees like forever.

The field of child welfare is filled with numerous abbreviations and different terminology. For instance there are different types of custody. Temporary custody is when a child is in a foster home or kinship home and the caregivers are working a case plan to get the child back into their home, so everyone on the team is working for reunification. Permanent custody is when the birth parent no longer has rights, and the child is legally available for adoption. During this custody status, team members work with the child on identifying a forever family. Planned Permanent Living Arrangement, is what we used to call long term foster care. This is a custody status for older youth who come into care and continue to have a strong tie with their biological family members, it may just be that their birth parents cannot take care of them due to a mental illness. Team members will work with this youth to understand the importance of self sufficiency, there is still contact with their birth family and their parents still have legal rights. Another custody is a voluntary agreement of care. Sometimes birth families need some help with their children due to a crisis, and can work with agency staff to allow their child to be placed into a foster home voluntarily while services are put into place. At any time, the birth parent can decide they want the child back in the home – and they will immediately be taken out of the foster home or placement. We also sometimes see voluntary surrendering of parental rights. We rarely see this occur, but if it does agency staff will work with a birth parent to ensure they understand the finality of their decision. The decision to terminate rights is final after the parent waits 72 hours and goes to Court to answer questions from the Juvenile Court Judge.

At Athens County Children Services are goal is protection and permanency in a safe, stable home. Permanency can be achieved through a child safely being reunified with birth parents. The in 2010 the agency started a new initiative called Differential Response. This is a different approach to case management that allows a caseworker to intensively work with a family by focusing on their strengths and keeping children in their birth home. Permanency is also achieved through adoption for those children who are unable to be reunified with their birth parents. We have even seen permanency for some of our older youth who were not adopted, but continue to have a close bond with their previous foster parents. It is important for you to know that the majority of foster children, about 70%, will return to their birth family. But even then, there are still more than 3000 children in the State of Ohio, waiting for forever families.

In 2010, the Agency developed a kinship caseworker position. The Agency is committed, if possible, to children remaining with family members, as this causes less trauma on the children. Children do better in a home where they know people and are safe. This staff person is responsible for working with kinship families who have are caring for children in their home, that are in the temporary custody of the agency. Kinship placements can include aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, bus drivers, and family friends.

Let’s move on to talk a little about the Parenting Programs available through our agency. The first is Foster Care. When you think foster care, you should think temporary. Our foster parents work with the agency and team members to safely reunify a child back with their birth parents. This may be short term or long term. Sometimes a child will be in your home for 3 days, or possibly 3 years. There is a per diem that ranges dependent on a child’s age, in addition to some reimbursements like mileage, class pictures, and clothing vouchers. During your home study you will work with your assessor to determine the age, number, sex, and behaviors you believe you can parent. You will be responsible for keeping up with 40 hours of training every two years. We recommend you stay on top of your hours and take 20 hours per year. Training is available throughout the year at the agency and the local training center. Some trainings are in the evening, others on the weekend, and some through the school day. You can also receive some of your training hours by reading books and watching DVDs through our foster parent lending library. As a foster parent, you will receive support from the Placement Unit. You will have your own caseworker who will work with you to ensure you are doing your training, help with paperwork, and to act as a support or liaison with you throughout placements in your home.

We work to bring children to people who want to build their family through adoption. Adoption is a lifelong process, so we provide counseling and support for families to remain strong throughout the years. Please know that parenting children who have been adopted is different from parenting your birth children. They have been raised in a different environment, with different caregivers, and have experienced instability. We do consider foster parents first when a child becomes available for adoption, as that child has already bonded to the family. We often ask for siblings to be able to maintain contact, whether they are older and not being adopted or if they are adopted by other parents. You will work with your assessor to determine the ages, challenges, gender, and number of children you will be approved for. Subsidies are available for most children, but is looked at on a case by case basis. There is additional funding through the State adoption assistance loan fund through your local Department of Job and Family Services that you may be able to access. If you are mainly interested in adoption infants and young toddlers we suggest that you make contact with private agencies located in the Adopt Ohio Guide. We rarely have healthy infants that are available for adoption at birth and what you to understand that the likelihood of receiving an adoptive placement of a small child is highly unlikely through the child welfare system.

There are numerous subsidies that may be available should you choose to adopt a child. Some of the susidies are Title IV-E, Non-recurring, State maintenance, Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy, and an Athens County Children Services Subsidy. If you want more information about subsidies you can review the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Ohio Subsidies Guide. Please be aware that some children who are less than six years of age and have no special needs may not qualify for adoption assistance. As of 2011, if all other eligibility criteria are met, and the only special needs factor is the child has been determined to be at substantial risk, with no manifestation of a special needs factor, the child is not eligible for non-recurring adoption assistance. Subsidy is available for families to help offset the costs of counseling and other services or needs that are needed to help with a child’s special needs.

There are numerous types of adoption include private/attorney adoptions. As a public agency we do not specialize in infant adoptions or international adoptions and ask that you seek out other resources for more information. There is no cost for a special needs adoption. We do not charge to complete your home study, but if we complete your home study and you transfer to a private agency – we will charge you for the amount it would have cost the private agency to complete your home study. Once you are approved for adoption you can request your home study be sent to other agencies who have waiting children, we will do this up to ten times before charging you. The matching process takes place when you have the identified strengths and parenting abilities that match a child’s needs. You will work with your assessor to understand the needs of a child and if you are capable of parenting that child. If you are matched and the agency moves forward with an adoptive placement there will be six months of supervision. The child’s adoption caseworker will meet with you monthly to ensure the adoptive placement is going well and that you are not in need of anything. After the six months you can work with your attorney to finalize the adoption. After finalization there are still voluntary case management services available to you call post adoption services. Unlike foster care, there is no ongoing training requirement- but you are welcome to attend any local trainings that you feel could benefit you and your family.

In 2011, the agency worked to finalize 17 adoptions, but at the end of 2011, there were still 10 children waiting for forever families to call their own.

In addition to the Foster Care Program and Adoption Program, there is a Foster to Adopt Program. This is an opportunity for a family to become dually licensed for foster care and approved for adoption. You will go through the same process, it just allows for both steps to be completed at the same time. Foster to adopt parents do have an ongoing training requirement and will serve as foster parents first. This allows for a foster family to help a child work a reunification plan, and if they are not able to return home to their birth family, the foster family has the opportunity to provide a safe, stable, permanent home. The agency advocates for the foster to adopt program as it reduces moves and trauma for a child who has already experienced enough trauma.

Depending on if you are interested in foster care, foster to adopt, or just adoption – will have an impact on what information is sent in your information packet. Normally you will see a welcome letter, brochures about the agency programs, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services brochure and Adoption Guide, Our MEPA Complaint Policy, The Adoption Process or a Foster Parent Welcome letter, statistics on children in foster care and children available for adoption, Adoption Policies and Procedures, the Preservice schedule, financial information for foster parents, and the steps to becoming licensed or approved. There is a lot of information in this packet – so please call us with any questions, or if you don’t understand something. We are here to help throughout the whole process.

So what do you do now? Well, if you are ready to move forward the next step is registering for preservice classes. You can register with the ACCS recruiter by calling 740-592-3061, ext. 105. Classes are offered throughout the year in various places, we can help figure out what classes will work best for you and your family. If you are not ready to move forward at this time, there are still other ways you can help support the children in Athens County – by spreading the word! We are in need of foster and adoptive homes throughout the county and have found that word of mouth is one of the best ways to reach others.

You can find our contact information on the screen. Please write down any information you need or feel you may need in the future. You can visit our website at www.athenschildrenservices.com where we update information frequently. We also have a Facebook page and can locate us by searching for Athens County Children Services. We look forward to helping you throughout the process, please keep in touch and do not be afraid to call and ask any questions. Staff are present Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm to answer your questions. We wish you luck and you and your family make the decision to foster and/or adopt. Good luck on your journey.

Foster Care and Adoption Informational Meeting with Sheri Rettig

Protecting Children Strengthening Families Securing Futures Our Mission

This information meeting is to help answer your questions about the foster care and adoption process. Please remember, you are not obligated to move forward in any way.

Enjoy kids Resilience Know when they need help and are willing to accept it Can work as a member of a team Optimistic about human nature and change Characteristics of Successful Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Parents

Neither too bossy nor too permissive Ability to value a child despite their behavior Respects child’s existing positive relationships Can allow child to talk freely about the past

Two of the most important characteristics are …… Willing to let a child develop at their own pace, in their own way and reach their own potential Ability to keep promises and honor commitments

Characteristics of Our Children Almost all have been physically abused, sexually abused and/or neglected. Abuse and neglect can have effects on learning, emotions, behavior, social development and physical growth and coordination. Some of our children show few effects. Most show some effects and some are severely effected.

ACCS foster parents believe the five most important roles and responsibilities are …. Providing safety for a child Loving and nurturing a child Providing support, guidance and discipline Being an advocate for a child Helping a child progress in their development

Foster and Adopt Process Step 1: Inquiry Step 2: Information Meeting or DVD Step 3: Preservice Classes Step 4: Application Step 5: Home Study Step 6: Licensing/Approval

State and Agency Requirements for Foster and Adoptive Parents 21 years old to foster; 18 to adopt At least one parent must be able to read, write, and speak in English or be able to effectively communicate with any child placed in their home and with the agency. May be legally married couple, single person or co-parents All members of household must be free of any physical, emotional, or mental condition which may endanger a child or seriously impair the ability of the caregiver to care for the child

Requirements Continued ….. Must be able to prove income Medical statement from licensed physician for all family members Any household member 18 years or older must complete a Criminal Record Check and be free of offenses outlined in paragraph J of rule 5101:2-7-02 of the Ohio Administrative Code. Prospective caregiver must notify agency of the same Cannot operate the home as an adult boarding or room house

Must have a fire inspection Have a medical exam every 2 years. Must complete 36 hours of preservice training for foster and adoptive parents You can easily register by calling the agency and asking to speak to the recruiter. Training is available at multiple sites Must comply with all agency policies and instructions Requirements Continued …..

Providing the agency with accurate information …… It is against state law to deliberately falsify and of the information provided on the applications to foster and/or adopt and during the home study process. This applies to previous Children Services involvement, legal/criminal histories or any other information that is requested.

Children Currently Available for Adoption in Athens County

Some Facts We need foster homes! 42 children came into care in 2011, compared to 69 children in 2010 and 60 children in 2009 More than half of our children come into care with one or more siblings We need foster and adoptive homes for children of all ages, but school-age children and teenagers in particular We prefer adoptive families to have fostering experience About half of the children adopted through the agency are adopted by their foster parents

Suspected child abuse or neglect is often brought to our attention by a neighbor, family member, or friend. We also receive reports from health care professionals, teachers, daycare workers, attorneys, ministers and others who are required by Ohio law to report suspected abuse or neglect.

Entry into the child welfare system… In 2011, there were 1375 calls to the agency reporting child abuse and/or neglect. Of these 1375 calls, 415 were investigated for child abuse and/or neglect Court determines and may order removal from the home (Emergency Custody)

Entry into the child welfare system… Court hearing on next business day Temporary custody or return home Temporary custody means visits, case plans, and the goal of reunification Concurrent planning 12 out of 22 months in care Appeals process

Custody status? Temporary custody (TC) Working towards reunification, child returning home Permanent custody (PC) Adoption is possible, birth parents divested of all rights and responsibilities Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (PPLA) Older youth who are not able to return home Voluntary Agreement for Care (VAC) Voluntary surrender of parental rights Final after going to Court, 72 hours after decision

At ACCS our goal is protection and permanency in a safe home Permanency can be achieved through reunification with birth parents Differential Response Permanency can be achieved through adoption for those children unable to return to their birth families The majority of foster children return to their birth families More than 3,000 children are available for adoption in the State of Ohio

Kinship Services ACCS is committed, if possible, to children remaining with family. This includes extended family such as aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. In 2011, 21% of the children who came into care were placed with a kinship provider.

ACCS Parenting Programs Short or long term Temporary Per diem and some reimbursements Ranges from $24-$26 per day You decide age, number and challenges with your assessor Ongoing training requirement Support from the Placement Unit Foster Care

ACCS Parenting Programs Different from birth parenting Foster parents are considered Often sibling contact is sought You decide what age, challenges, gender and number of children with your assessor Subsidies are available for most children State adoption assistance loan fund Availability of Infants Adoption

Subsidies Title IV-E Non-recurring State Maintenance Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy (PASS) Athens County Children Services Subsidy Please be aware that some children who are less than six years of age and have no special needs may not qualify for adoption assistance.

ACCS Parenting Programs Private/Attorney Adoption No cost for special needs adoption Matching process Six months supervision No ongoing training requirement Post Adoption Services Adoption

Adoption Facts In 2011, we finalized 17 adoptions. As of February 1, 2011, we have 7 children who are waiting for their forever families. 3 of those children are part of a sibling group. Children Waiting Websites: www.athenschildrenservices.com www.adoptuskids.org www.adoptionphotolistingohio.org

ACCS Parenting Programs Reduces moves and trauma Dual license and approval Same process Serve as foster parent first Foster to Adopt

Did you get an information packet tonight? Brochures Welcome Letter Pamphlets The Process Guides ODJFS Adoption Guide Preservice schedule Adoption Policies MEPA Complaint Other Information

What now? If you decide to move forward, the next step is registering for preservice classes. You can register with the recruiter by calling 740-592-3061, ext. 105 If you are not ready to foster or adopt, there are other ways you can support children in Athens County ….. Spread the word!

Athens County Children Services ACCS Recruiter/Trainer P.O. Box 1046 10 Stonybrook Drive Athens, Ohio 45701 Phone: (740) 592-3061 Fax: (740) 593-9041 http://www.athenschildrenservices.com/ Contact Information: