Helping the Most Vulnerable
Ohio’s most vulnerable children are in need of a larger support network, as the number of families willing to be part of the foster care program is shrinking. Further, the number of families that can handle children with behavioral challenges is even smaller.
This despite approximately one-quarter of children having come into children’s services custody not because of abuse or neglect, but because of behavioral health.
“That surprises a lot of people,” said Scott Britton, assistant director of the Public Children Services Association of Ohio. “Perhaps the parents can’t afford the treatment the child needs. Or maybe the parents don’t know how to manage the behaviors of a child on the autism spectrum who’s gotten older and bigger. And so, at their wit’s end, they often come to children’s services.”
Across the state, counties are forming nine regional partnerships, through which they will work together to recruit, train and support foster families. The aim is to find homes for the approximately 1,800 foster children who live in group settings.
It is not an easy decision to make, but more Ohio families must be willing to start the discussion and become part of the solution. Training for specialized foster care is available. It’s not for everyone, but somewhere out there is a family ready to make the leap to help these kids. The time is now, folks.