Cincinnati (Feb. 26, 2015) Considering adoption or foster care? Hamilton County is hosting a Saturday expo where you can get all of your questions answered.
Prospective foster and adoptive parents have the chance to learn about the adoption and foster care process, hear the truth about some of the myths surrounding foster care and adoption and meet parents who have already adopted or fostered. The expo is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, at College Hill Presbyterian Church, 5742 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45224.
“We know there are people in this community who have considered fostering and adopting for some time, but they have some nagging questions that are holding them back,” said Moira Weir, director of Hamilton County Job and Family Services, which is hosting the event. “This is their chance to take that last step and see if they are right for the role. Fostering and adopting is a rewarding experience – it changes a child’s life and it will change your life. I encourage anyone considering adoption or foster care to come out and visit us.”
The event is designed to:
- Increase the community’s awareness about the need for foster and adoptive families. Hamilton County has about 900 foster children at any given time, along with 200 children available for adoption.
- Educate people about the process. They can learn how to get started, what to expect during the home study process, etc. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions from professionals in the field.
- Help dispel myths – for example, that it costs a lot to adopt, that you have to own your own home, single people can’t adopt, all foster youth are delinquents, etc.
- Share information about kids who are waiting for adoption. Adoption workers and recruiters will be on hand to talk about kids waiting for adoption and answer questions.
- Educate people about the supports available to families and the children adopted from a public agency. For example, there are adoption subsidies, help paying for medical care and other financial assistance.
- Share information about kinship care. Kinship workers will be on hand to talk about the kinship care process and benefits and answer questions.
- Involve others in the cause. Those who are not ready to foster or adopt can learn how to become a mentor or a respite provider. And organizations or businesses can get involved in helping promote adoption from the foster care system.
Representatives from several private foster care agencies will also be on hand to answer questions and sign up parents who make the decision to foster.
The county has about 900 children in foster care each day. Job and Family Services also has about 200 children available for adoption.
Those with questions about foster parenting or adoption can also visit HCKids.org or call 632-6366.
About Hamilton County Job and Family Services
Hamilton County Job and Family Services administers federal, state and local programs for those in need. The Department helps with local child protection, elderly protection, child care, child support enforcement, workforce development, cash assistance, food assistance and Medicaid disbursement. Servicing Hamilton County since 1947, the Department helps hundreds of thousands each year and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation, an international, independent, not-for-profit child and family service accrediting organization.
