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Foster Care

be a safe place for young people in need

The Buckeye Ranch’s Foster Care program provides a safe, secure, and treatment-oriented living arrangement for youth in the custody of child protective services in Ohio

The Buckeye Ranch offers many resources and support for foster families to ensure they’re equipped to properly care for the children in their homes. The purpose of foster care is to allow the biological family and the youth the needed time to learn new skills, get treatment, or remove other obstacles that keep them from living safely together in the community.

about our ohio foster care network

The Buckeye Ranch Foster Care program offers a network of hundreds of foster homes across Ohio. Our program is comprised of professional staff and foster parents who are committed to the well-being of foster youth and their birth families. Our program provides care for children from infancy through 18 years of age and sometimes beyond.

The majority of our foster homes are treatment foster homes with foster parents that are trained with a culturally responsive and trauma-informed background, including Healing Alternatives for Youth (HAY), a specialized program developed by The Buckeye Ranch to provide support for foster youth needing an added layer of high-acuity mental health support who are experiencing placement disruptions

Why You Should Consider Becoming a Foster Parent Today
with a full staff of specialists who provide licensing, case management, and training

how we support foster families

Our professional staff provides support to the youth, their family, and foster caregivers throughout the youth’s stay in foster care in Ohio. The Buckeye Ranch’s large, long-standing continuum of care extends from supportive respite services to crisis stabilization. In our Foster Care program, we have a full staff of specialists who provide licensing, case management, and training to our network of foster families. We need loving, nurturing, and flexible families who will help these children during their time of need.

Support Services Benefits Education Resources

training calendar for aspiring foster parents

If you’re interested in supporting youth in foster care in Ohio by becoming a foster parent, click the below button for a calendar of upcoming training sessions you can register to attend.

 

October-December 2024 Training Calendar

training calendar for current foster parents

If you’re a current foster parent, click the below button for a calendar of upcoming training sessions you can register to attend.

 

October-December 2024 Training Calendar

our foster care offices

central ohio

With offices in Columbus and Newark, we are a large agency with numerous resources, but we have the feel of a smaller agency where you know the staff by name. You can call us today for more information by dialing (800) 296-5113 to talk to a person directly during the hours of 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., or contact us below.

cincinnati

Our Cincinnati office is located in Springdale, Ohio. Foster homes in the Cincinnati area care for children who are in the custody of Job and Family Services in Southwestern counties.

We have a strong group of Cincinnati area foster families who network and support each other in this important work. As a part of The Buckeye Ranch, you have a strong network of resources backing this smaller personal office. You can call us today for more information by dialing (513) 772 -5800  to talk to a person directly during the hours of 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Foster care is a service that provides a safe, secure, and treatment-oriented living arrangement for youth in the custody of child protective services. The purpose of Foster Care is to allow the biological family and the youth the needed time to learn new skills, get treatment, or remove other obstacles that keep them from living safely together in the community.

reasons to choose buckeye ranch foster care

  1. We have a significant number of resources, but despite our size, we give off the vibe of a smaller agency where you know all the staff by name, and they know you by yours.

  2. Transportation services are offered to assist during times of schedule conflict. Team members are available to help with your transportation needs so that we can all work together to give your child a healthy experience.

  3. Our training program offers extensively researched and cutting-edge curricula with foundations in Trauma-Informed Care. Trainers are professionals and experts in the topics they present. Training is offered in multiple locations and online.

  4. We offer many different reimbursements to our foster families. We provide support with clothing purchases, help with extracurriculars, foster parent mileage reimbursement, and many other resources.

  5. Our case management staff provides 24-hour support. Although most situations can be handled over the phone, our staff is available to come to your home or community location during times of need.

  6. Placement staff is available to receive referrals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This availability allows us to review referrals and match children to foster homes outside of normal business hours.

  7. Our Foster Care program has many tenured staff and leaders. You will have trained professionals assigned to get you licensed, then to support you along your journey.

  8. We know that foster parents are the face of our program in the community. Foster parents are our most valuable resource and strongest ally. We work to link you to resources and one another so you can have the best experience in Foster Care.

getting started

  1. Contact us today by clicking here or calling (800) 296-5113.

  2. We will send you information to review.

  3. You may attend an information session to learn more about foster care and the process.

  4. Fill out an application to become a foster parent.

  5. Attend pre-service training and learn detailed information to help you in your role as a foster parent. Training is made up of educational hours, CPR certification, and First Aid.

  6. Complete the home study process. This is Ohio’s mandated licensing process in which we work together to get to know your family and walk you through all of the necessary steps.

  7. Obtain a license from the State of Ohio to be a foster parent.

  8. A child is placed in your home.

  9. You work closely with an assigned case management specialist, in your home whenever you have foster youth in your care.

training

Aspiring foster parents are required to have an initial training of 24 hours + First Aid and CPR. The training covers:

  • Teambuilding: The Role of the Parent/Caregiver on the Child Welfare Team; Legal Rights and Responsibilities of Caregiver
  • Child Abuse or Neglect and the Impact on Child Development
  • Attachment, Separation, and Placement
  • Discipline and Behavior Modification
  • Cultural Issues in Placement
  • Child Sexual Abuse, Mental Health Issues of Children in Care
  • Effects of Caregiving on the Family
  • Permanency Issues
  • Educational Advocacy and State Rules

This training is offered on a regular basis at each of our Buckeye Ranch locations. Contact us for more information.

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Ongoing learning

Once you are a licensed foster home in Ohio, you will need to get ongoing training to help you in providing the best care possible. Foster parents are required to obtain between 30 and 45 hours of continuing education every two years. The Buckeye Ranch provides ongoing training at each of our locations and online.

We'll pay you to learn

Foster parents are provided a stipend for all approved training they attend. Not only are you learning new parenting strategies to assist with children in your care, you also get paid to learn!

curious about fostering?

Let’s talk. Please contact us at (800) 296-5113 or complete the form below. Please note, you must be at least 18 years old to apply.

reach out today!

To learn more about the foster care process at The Buckeye Ranch, reach out to us today.

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