National Foster Care Month: What It Is & Why It Matters in Ohio
Quick Answer: National Foster Care Month is a U.S. initiative observed each May to raise awareness about children and teens in foster care and the need for more foster families and community support. While it is nationally recognized, foster care is managed locally. In Ohio, approximately 15,000 children are in foster care at any given time, highlighting the importance of local action.
Understanding National Foster Care Month
National Foster Care Month is a federally recognized awareness initiative focused on supporting children in foster care and the families who care for them. Each May, the initiative brings national attention to the hundreds of thousands of children and youth in foster care across the United States.
Established in 1988 and coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Children’s Bureau, and the Child Welfare Information Gateway, National Foster Care Month raises awareness about the needs of children in foster care and recognizes the contributions of foster parents, social workers, and community partners.
While National Foster Care Month is a national initiative, its impact depends on local communities stepping in to meet ongoing needs. In Ohio, thousands of children rely on foster families and community support systems every day, making local awareness and action essential.
Foster care is not just a system. It is a community responsibility that only works when local families step forward. If you’ve ever considered becoming a foster parent in Ohio, now is an important time to explore how you can help.
Why National Foster Care Month Matters: National Designation, Local Delivery
National Foster Care Month plays a critical role in strengthening foster care systems by increasing awareness, encouraging community involvement, and supporting the recruitment of foster families.
At a structural level, federal policies and funding, guided by the Children’s Bureau and programs like Title IV-E, which provides critical funding for foster care and adoption services, help ensure consistency, safety, and accountability across state systems.
But foster care is not delivered at the federal level. It is carried out locally within communities. In Ohio, foster care is administered at the state and county level. Local state agencies and contracted non-profit organizations like Adriel are responsible for placement decisions, licensing, case management, and ongoing support.
Community-based organizations, like Adriel, play a crucial role in recruiting, training, and supporting foster families. These local systems are where children experience stability, build relationships, and begin to heal.
Children in foster care need consistency, connection, and support. Foster families need resources and community backing to continue providing care. Without local involvement, even the strongest systems struggle to meet demand.
How Foster Care Works: National vs. Local Roles
Foster care operates across multiple levels, but the roles are clearly defined:
|
Level |
Who Is Involved |
What They Do |
|
Federal (National) |
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau |
Sets guidelines, provides funding, establishes national standards |
|
State & County (Ohio) |
State agencies, county children’s services |
Oversees foster care system, licensing, placement decisions, case management |
|
Community (Local) |
Foster families, agencies like Adriel, schools, support networks, donors |
Provides day-to-day care, stability, and support for children, finds, trains and supports individuals and families open to taking care of foster children |
One exception is interstate placements, which do happen, especially when family connections cross state lines. These involve federal coordination through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). You can find information about rules, procedures, and resources through the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA). For state-specific information, the ICPC State Pages website provides contact details and relevant laws for each state.
Foster Care in Ohio: Local Needs Within a National System
While National Foster Care Month highlights a nationwide need, the reality is deeply local. In Ohio, approximately 15,000 children are in foster care at any given time, and the need for qualified foster families continues to outpace availability, as there are only half that number of licensed foster homes in Ohio.
Demand is especially high in metropolitan areas and the surrounding areas such as:
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Columbus
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Dayton
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Toledo
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Lima
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Springfield
Across these communities, agencies are working to:
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Reduce placement disruptions
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Keep children close to home and school
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Recruit and retain foster parents equipped for complex needs
Like many states, Ohio continues to face a shortage of licensed foster families, making community involvement essential. Adriel is actively seeking foster families across Ohio communities for all types of children. Families open to serving sibling groups, children with autism, children with medical and mental health needs, middle schoolers, and teens are especially needed, as placement needs are often most urgent due to less foster parents in Ohio available to care for children with moderate or high needs.
How Foster Care Works in Ohio
Becoming a foster parent involves a structured process designed to ensure children are placed in safe, supportive environments.
Get more information on these steps and more.
Step 1: Inquiry and Orientation
Connect with our team to understand the specific needs in your Ohio county.
Step 2: Training
Adriel Pre-Service Training: Complete our required specialized education program focused on trauma-informed care, the Teaching Family Model, and child safety.
Step 3: Home Study
A licensing specialist evaluates your home and readiness. An Adriel licensing specialist conducts interviews and home inspections to ensure a safe, supportive fit for your family.
Step 4: Licensing
Approval is granted by non-profit agencies like Adriel, in partnership with the state Ohio Department of Children and Youth once all requirements are met.
Step 5: Placement
Children are matched based on needs and family capabilities.
The Goals of Local Grounding for Foster Care
Foster care is designed to support reunification whenever possible. Keeping children close to home allows them to maintain family connections, attend the same schools, and preserve stability during a difficult transition. Here’s a deeper dive into why.
Preserves Stability and Familiarity
Children remain near their schools, friends, extended family, and support networks, helping reduce trauma and disruption.
Supports Educational Continuity
Maintaining the same school environment improves academic outcomes and reduces setbacks caused by frequent moves.
School stability is linked to better outcomes in grades, attendance, and graduation rates. Studies show that school moves negatively impact foster children by causing them to miss or repeat lessons, lose credits, postpone assessments, and experience gaps in their receipt of special education services. Additionally, the stress of adjusting to a new set of teachers and classmates may provoke anxiety in some foster children.
Enables Family and Sibling Visits
Local placements make it easier to maintain frequent contact with biological parents and siblings, which is essential for preserving family bonds and supporting successful reunification.
Builds a Community of Care
Keeping children in their community allows local support networks to stay involved. That includes neighbors, teachers, coaches, and mentors. Foster parents also benefit from proximity to local resources, caseworkers, and support systems.
Reduces Transportation Burdens
Local placements reduce travel time for court appearances, counseling, weekly supervised visits with family, and other services, minimizing disruption to the child’s routine and to the foster family's schedule.
How to Support Foster Children During National Foster Care Month and Every Day
Ohio is home to thousands of children in foster care. They need families who can offer stability, compassion, and hope. Unfortunately, the need for foster families continues to outpace availability. Becoming a foster parent is a profound way to serve your community and change a child’s life.
Explore becoming a foster parent.
We know that not everyone is called to foster, but everyone can help. You can also make a meaningful impact without becoming a foster parent. Community support is essential to maintaining stable placements. Here are a few other ways to support foster children in your community:
Be Active as a Volunteer with Foster Youth
Being a foster parent is not the only way to get actively involved to directly help children. We invite you to volunteer part time to:
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Mentor and care for foster children in your home overnight, for a weekend, or up to 14 days, as a short-term respite foster parent
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Be a transporter for children in foster care to take them safely to and from their weekly visits with their biological family
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Be a daytime alternative caregiver/ babysitter for local foster families
Be Generous with Funding for Foster Care and Support
Time is not the only resource that is valuable in our effort to help foster children! There are many ways to help by donating financially, for example, providing:
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Meals or gift cards to foster families in your community when they have new foster children placed in their home,
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Gift cards or monetary donations to foster care agencies like Adriel to provide support for foster youth birthdays, summer camps, lessons, tutoring, sports, extra-curricular activities, and more.
Be Present in the Community
Foster families are everywhere, and unless you show up and engage in the community, you may never know who they are. The more you participate through church or other community organizations, the more opportunities you will have to meet and support these loving care givers through prayer, encouragement, and the gift of your time and talents.
Be Aware of the Foster Children in Your Neighborhood
When you spend time with others in the community, whether as a family or as a fellow parent or guardian, you will have opportunities to observe behavior and interaction among children. Watch for signs of isolation, bullying, or inappropriate behavior. Whether you choose to intervene or alert the appropriate adults/authorities, your watchful attention can make a difference.
Be Accessible for Those in Need
One of the most valuable ways you can support your neighbors is to let them get to know you! Building trusted relationships with others in your community means they know who they can count on. But trust doesn’t come with a handshake, especially when children are involved. It takes time, reliability, active listening, and open communications to earn the right to help when help is needed.
Be Curious About Available Resources
Ask questions to discover what your neighbors need and know the resources available to help them (or to help you help them). Along with Adriel and other foster care agencies, there are many organizations available to help. Here are some we partner with frequently to support foster families:
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Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Remember, every act of kindness, big or small, makes a difference.
The Bottom Line: Making a Difference for Foster Families During National Foster Care Month and Beyond
Strong foster care systems are built at the community level. Awareness creates understanding, but action creates stability, support, and long-term outcomes for children.
National Foster Care Month is more than a calendar event. It’s a call to action, and for some, a call to YOUR arms! If you’ve ever considered fostering, now is the time to explore that calling. If not, try some of the tips above and explore your options for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions About Foster Care in Ohio
What happens to youth after they age out of foster care? What are the biggest challenges foster parents face?
Youth who age out of foster care often transition to independent living without permanent family support. Many face challenges with housing, employment, and education, though support programs can improve outcomes.
How can I help foster children if I’m not ready to become a foster parent?
You can help by volunteering, mentoring, providing respite care, donating resources, or supporting foster families in your community.
What are the biggest challenges foster parents face?
Foster parents often navigate emotional stress, behavioral needs, and system complexity while balancing their own family responsibilities. This is why organizations like Adriel offer 24/7 on-call support, and every Adriel foster family is provided with their own personal Foster Care Consultant to provide support, resources, encouragement, and guidance along their foster care journey.
How long does it take to become a foster parent in Ohio?
The process typically takes several months and includes training, background checks, and a home study. Adriel Licensing Specialists help guide families through a streamlined application and foster parent home study licensing process, helping families complete the process within 3 months on average.
Do foster children stay in contact with their foster families?
Many do. While not guaranteed, ongoing relationships often continue and can provide long-term support.
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