Strengthening the system 

While recruiting new foster parents is essential, it is equally important to make sure that we attract quality foster parents and are able to retain them.  Over the past year, several important steps have been taken to help ensure our foster children are placed in the safest environment possible and that foster parents have the help and guidance they need to prevent burnout and attrition.

Safety: Ensuring foster children are protected from harm

Instant Notification

Each day the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts receives notice of all arrests in Hamilton County the previous day.  The Clerk of Courts compares the list of County foster parents against these current arrest records.  This “instant notification” allows Children’s Services officials to act quickly in the event a foster parent is charged with a crime, which indicates that a child in their home may be in danger.

The instant background check program is now a model for other counties throughout Ohio and a similar system has been incorporated into pending foster care reform legislation.

Background Check and Safeguards Legislation (House Bill 213/Senate Bill 163)

In May 2007, Ohio legislators introduced a pair of foster care reform bills intended to improve the child welfare system in the wake of the death of a foster child.  The first of these two pieces of legislation addresses safety measures, including the creation of a fingerprint database that will notify officials when a foster parent is arrested or convicted of a crime.  It would also require a national FBI background check at certification and regular BCII background checks every four years thereafter.

Additionally, the legislation would expand the list of offenses that prohibit a person from becoming a foster parent and forbids a person from becoming a foster parent if they had a license revoked in another state in the previous five years.

Training & Retention: Ensuring foster parents are equipped and supported

Respite Camps

Beginning this year, Hamilton County Job and Family Services is providing additional supports to current foster families by organizing a "Respite Camp" for foster and kinship youth.  These weekend camps are for youth ages seven to fifteen are in a foster or kinship placement.  The camp will provide a respite opportunity to foster providers while providing youth with experienced based learning focused on acquiring new skills and enhancing the youth's respect for self, others and the environment.

Training and Service Legislation (House Bill 214/Senate Bill 164)

The second of the foster care reform bills introduced in the Ohio General Assembly, this pending legislation focuses on strengthening foster parent training and mentoring.  By increasing the required number of pre-licensing training hours, new foster parents will be better prepared for their new role.