Frequently Asked Questions
What is meant by children with "special needs"?
A child who, prior to adoptive placement, has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to a child being sustained in an adoptive home without financial assistance because the child:
- Is a member of a sibling group of 2 or more being adopted together or is placed in the same adoptive placement of a sibling previously adopted
- Is a member of a minority, racial or ethnic group making it difficult to place the child for adoption. However, if the child is between the age of newborn and twelve months, the child must also be diagnosed to have one of the conditions outlined in the OAC rule
- Age (The child is six years old or older)
- Has remained in the permanent custody of a Public Children's Services Agency (PCSA) or a Private Child Placing Agency (PCPA) for more than one year before an adoptive placement
- A developmental disability, A developmental delay, Mental illness, A medical condition causing distress, pain, dysfunction, social problems or death as diagnosed by a qualified professional
- The child or the child's biological family has a social or medical history establishing a substantial risk for developing one of these conditions. The substantial risk makes it difficult to place the child for adoption without the provision of AA. A qualified professional shall determine the substantial risk, as defined in paragraph (B) of this rule. A child is not at substantial risk if the child's biological parent(s) social and medical history cannot be determined
- Has been in the home of his/her prospective adoptive parent(s) as a foster child for at least six months preceding the adoptive placement and would experience severe separation and loss if placed in another setting due to his/her significant ties with the prospective adoptive parent(s) as determined and documented by a qualified mental health professional
- Has experienced previous adoption disruption or three or more substitute care placement while in the custody of a PCSA or PCPA
What are the qualifications to become a foster or adoptive parent?
Being a foster parent is a serious but rewarding commitment. To become a foster parent, you must meet all the requirements below.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- At least one person in your home must be able to read, write and speak English, or be able to communicate effectively with both the child and the agency that placed the child in your home.
- You may be single or married. All orientations are acceptable.
- All religious affiliations are acceptable.
- You must be able to provide contact information for individuals who can provide references for you.
- Your household must have enough income to meet the basic needs of those already living in the home and to make timely payment of shelter costs.*
- You do not have to own a home but must have enough space available for the children and their belongings.
- You must have a separate bed for each child and separate bedrooms for children if there are boys and girls over age 5.
- You must be free of any physical, emotional or mental conditions that could endanger the child or seriously impair your ability to care for the child.
- A licensed medical professional must complete and sign a medical statement for you and each member of your household stating that you are healthy enough to care for additional children.
- Everyone 18 and over living in the home must have criminal background checks completed, as well as child abuse and neglect checks. If you have concerns about something in your past that you think may disqualify you from being a foster parent, talk to your agency about it.
- Your home must be free of hazardous conditions and pass a fire inspection and safety audit.
- You must complete all preplacement and continuing training required by your agency.
- Some non-safety foster care certification requirements may be waived on a case-by-case basis for kinship caregivers who wish to become certified foster parents to specific kinship children in their care.
Can you be a foster parent if you work outside the home?
Yes. In fact, the majority of foster families licensed with Adams County work outside the home.
What kind of assistance does the agency provide to foster parents in caring for children?
Foster parents receive a monthly reimbursement check to assist with the routine costs of providing for the needs of a foster child. Medicaid coverage is provided to children in the custody of the agency to cover medical and dental expenses. Reimbursement for child care expenses may also be available.
How many foster children can I receive in my home?
During the first two years, certified foster parents may take placement of up to three children. After two years of service, foster parents may take placement of up to five children, if space permits. (The maximum number of children that can reside in a foster home is ten, which includes the foster parent's own children.)
Can a foster/adoptive parent request age and sex of a child?
During the home study process, applicants are encouraged to carefully consider age and gender as well as other characteristics of the children they would like to receive into their home.
Can I be a foster/adoptive parent if I have a criminal record?
Possibly. Each situation would be reviewed. If it is found that the person's criminal record meets the rehabilitation requirements set forth in the Ohio Administrative Code, consideration can be given. Everyone 18 years of age and older residing in the home must have a criminal background check.
ACCSB reserves the right to deny approval of an applicant for foster/adoptive placement based upon their criminal history. At this time, ACCSB does not approve any applicant for foster care/adoption who has been convicted of a prohibited offense as per OAC 5101:2-7-02, regardless of the length of time in which the offense was committed.
How long does the homestudy process take?
Generally, the process takes about 6 months from the time the application is received. This process includes 24 hours of Pre-Service Training, as well as in-depth discussions between the assessor and the family. Additionally, the process may be completed more quickly, depending on the timeliness of required paperwork being received by the homestudy assessor from the applicant(s).
Is there a fee to become a foster/adoptive parent of a special needs child?
No.
Do I have to live in Adams County to become an Adams County foster/adoptive parent?
No. Adams County Children Services works with families within Adams County, as well as, those families in neighboring counties who reside within a 60 mile (one way) radius of the agency.
What is involved in the legalization of an adoption?
Legalizing an adoption involves a hearing in the Adams County Probate Court during which adoptive parents are granted permanent legal custody of their adopted child. This legislative process finalizes the parent child relationship that is created. In the State of Ohio, legalization of an adoption can occur after a child has resided with their adoptive family for a minimum of six months. A child must be in the permanent custody of an agency for the adoption process to be finalized through a PCSA.
What types of services and resources are available to adoptive parents?
A variety of formal and informal services are available to members of the adoptive family, either as a group or as individuals. Support groups, counseling, respite care, medical services, educational resources, and a variety of community resources may be available to help meet ongoing needs or new needs that may have surfaced after the adoption finalization. Although types and locations of adoption services vary over time, adoptive families may always contact the agency for assistance in locating adoption services. Several types of financial subsidies may be available to assist families in meeting the special needs of their adopted child/children.
Is there information available on children available for adoption in the State of Ohio?
Prospective adoptive families are encouraged to regularly view the Ohio Adoption Photo Listing (OAPL) located on-line at the AdoptOHIO Kids web site at The Ohio Adoption Photolisting Website. The web site contains pictures and descriptions of waiting children in the custody of public children's service agencies throughout Ohio. The descriptions of the children are supplied by the child's social worker and are intentionally brief. A more detailed description of the child is available to prospective adoptive families who have completed the homestudy process from the child's social worker. Families interested in adoption are strongly encouraged to read the narratives and look at the pictures of children found within the Photo Listing to gain an understanding of the types of children available for adoption in Ohio.