Who Can Become a Foster

and/or Adoptive Parent?

Because HCJFS is responsible for children the court places in our care, we must look for foster and adoptive parents who have a genuine interest in caring for the children who need permanency.

Foster and adoptive parents come from all backgrounds, age levels and income levels. They may be:

  • single or married;

  • own their own home or rent; and

  • have a full or part time job.

However, HCJFS must still ensure that those who seek to become foster and/or adoptive parents can meet the needs of our children. It is our job to protect them until they either return to their biological families or are adopted. Our policies exist to protect the children from further harm and to assess an applicant’s ability to provide a safe, nurturing environment.

To ensure we meet these goals, each applicant must meet the basic state-mandated criteria below:

Basic Eligibility Requirements to become an adoptive parent

You must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age to adopt, 21 to foster. If you are applying to foster and adopt, you must be at least 21 years of age.

  • Have a bed and a bedroom available for a child

  • Have sufficient income to meet your basic needs and cover your bills.

  • Be in good physical condition and capable of caring for a child.

  • Have no criminal history (including other adults in your home)

You can be:

  • Married, single or divorced. If you are married but separated, you must have filed for separation in court.

  • Of any religious affiliation or none, as long as your religious beliefs do not pose a threat or danger to the health or safety of an adopted child.

Restrictions on Who Can Become a Foster and/or Adoptive Parent:

Criminal Background Checks

Agencies obtain local, state and national criminal record checks for all applicants, including anyone over the age of 18 living in the applicant’s home. This ensures that children are being placed in safe, healthy environments.

In most cases, agencies will not process or approve foster and/or adoptive parent applications if you or any adult member of your household has been convicted of any of the crimes listed below or of any substantially equivalent crime.

If you or any member of your household has a criminal record, please review this list carefully.

There may be exceptions related to the nature of the crime and when it was committed. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, contact a foster care agency for more information. If you are interested in becoming an adoptive parent through Hamilton County, call (513) 946-1000, Option 5.

Allegations of Abuse or Neglect

Agencies review all applicants and other household members for allegations of abuse or neglect locally and with any other public child protection agency. They may deny an application if records show a substantiated case or history of abuse or neglect by the applicant or any other household members.

Prohibitive Crimes according to Ohio Administrative Code

Rule 5101:2-48-10

OFFENSES AGAINST ANIMALS

959.1 - Cruelty to Animals

HOMICIDE

2903.01 - Aggravated Murder

2903.02 - Murder

2903.03 - Voluntary manslaughter

2903.04 - Involuntary manslaughter

ASSAULT

2903.11 - Felonious Assault

2903.12 - Aggravated Assault

2903.15 - Permitting Child Abuse

2903.13 - Assault

2903.16 - Failing to provide for a functionally impaired person

MENACING

2903.21 - Aggravated menacing

2903.211 - Menacing by stalking

2903.22 - Menacing

PATIENT ABUSE & NEGLECT

2903.34 - Patient abuse, neglect

KIDNAPPING & RELATED ISSUES

2905.01 - Kidnapping

2905.02 - Abduction

2905.04 - Child stealing (as this law existed prior to 7/1/1996)

2905.05 - Criminal Child Enticement

SEX OFFENSES

2907.02 - Rape

2907.03 - Sexual Battery

2907.04 - Corruption of a minor

2907.05 - Gross sexual imposition

2907.06 - Sexual imposition

2907.07 - Importuning

2907.08 - Voyeurism

2907.09 - Public indecency

2907.12 - Felonious sexual penetration (as this former section of the law existed)

2907.21 - Compelling prostitution

2907.22 - Promoting prostitution

2907.23 - Procuring

2907.25 - Prostitution

2907.31 - Disseminating matter harmful to juveniles

2907.32 - Pandering obscenity

2907.321 - Pandering obscenity involving a minor

2907.322 - Pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor

2907.323 - Illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance

ARSON

2909.02 - Aggravated arson

2909.03 - Arson

2909.22 - Soliciting or providing support for act of terrorism

2909.23 - Making terroristic threat

2909.24 - Terrorism

ROBBERY & BURGLARY

2911.01 - Aggravated Robbery

2911.02 - Robbery

2911.11 - Aggravated Burglary

2911.12 - Burglary

THEFT & FRAUD

2913.49 - Identity Fraud

OFFENSES AGAINST THE PUBLIC PEACE

2917.01 - Inciting to violence

2917.02 - Aggravated riot

OFFENSES AGAINST THE FAMILY

2919.12 - Unlawful abortion

2919.22 - Endangering children

2919.23 - Interference with custody (that would have been a violation of R.C. 2905.04 as it existed prior to 7/1/1996 if violation had been committed prior to that date)

2919.24 - Contributing to unruliness or delinquency of a child

2919.25 - Domestic violence

WEAPONS CONTROL

2923.12 - Carrying a concealed weapon

2923.13 - Having a weapon under disability

2923.161 - Improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation or school

DRUG OFFENSES

2925.02 - Corruption of another with drugs

2925.03 - Trafficking in drugs

2925.04 - Illegal manufacture of drugs or cultivation of marijuana

2925.05 - Funding of drug or marijuana trafficking

2925.06 - Illegal administration or distribution of anabolic steroids

2925.11 - Possession of drugs or marijuana that is not a minor drug possession offense

OTHER

2927.12 - Ethnic intimidation

3716.11 - Placing harmful objects in food or confection

4511.19 - Operating vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs - OVI or OVUAC