Feb
10
Former foster child paying it forward after mentor helped him succeed

From even the worst of circumstances, a resilient child can rise. But it usually takes help. The chaos of poverty, substance abuse, foster care and other social ills can swallow up many young people. Most are overwhelmed by their circumstances and mere survival is success. There are …

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Nov
07
Governor DeWine Announces Children Services Transformation Advisory Council, Regional Forums

Ohio now has a new Children Services Transformation Advisory Council aimed at reviewing the state of Ohio’s foster care system and developing recommendations for improving the experience of children and families. The advisory council was created to build on the historic …

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Oct
09
Lighthouse holding reunion to celebrate 50 years

Lighthouse Youth & Family Services will celebrate 50 years of service with a reunion from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, at its offices at 401 East. McMillan Street.  Past and present clients, employees, board members, volunteers and honorees …

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Sep
26
September named Kinship Care Month

The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners has proclaimed September as National Kinship Care Month.  The proclamation reads: WHEREAS, the abuse and neglect of children in our nation and our community is an ongoing problem, with nearly 20,000 abused and neglected …

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Sep
10
September is Kinship Care Month

When we say a child is in kinship care, it means that when the child was no longer able to safely live with parents, a relative or a non-relative adult who has a bond with the child (maybe a teacher, …

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Aug
30
New Website Offers Resources for Ohio’s Kinship Caregivers

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has announced a new resource for grandparents and other relatives caring for children: FosterAndAdopt.jfs.ohio.gov/kinship. “Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving home, but there are far too …

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Aug
09
Local adoptive family featured by Good Morning America

BJ and Calena Durel’s story of adopting two girls while pregnant with twins, is making national news. The couple was featured this week on the Good Morning America website. The couple had been providing respite care (providing breaks for foster …

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Jul
29
Two great adoption stories to end a 30-year career

Michael Willis, one of our Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters, retires next week after 20 years with Hamilton County Job and Family Services. She leaves on a great note – seven adoptions already this year. That’s seven children who had been …

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Jul
09
We are looking for teen mentees

If you know a teenager in foster care, a group home or independent living in the northern areas of Hamilton County, please let us know. We are looking for kids attending school in the Colerain, Lakota, Princeton districts or in the …

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May
28
Foster graduates celebrate their dreams next week

High school can be tough. So can foster care. Graduating from high school while in foster care is so tough that less than 40 percent of children in foster care make it. Next Thursday, June 6, more than 50 children …

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