Caregiver
What is a Caregiver?
A caregiver is a licensed foster/adoptive parent/respite care provider. A caregiver has received 40 hours of initial foster/adoptive training hours. If fostering or doing respite care, a caregiver maintains their license by achieving continuing education hours of 20 hours per year.
Who can be a Caregiver?
A caregiver can be a person(s) over the age of 21. They must have received the initial 40 hours of foster/adoptive training, have proof of car insurance, be BCI/FBI fingerprinted, have a fire safety inspection approved, as well as an approved home study done by the agency in which they will be foster/adopting with.
When is a Caregiver needed (how long and frequent)?
Being a foster parent is a 24 hours/day, 7 day/week gig. However, if you do not wish to take a full time placement, you can use your certification to be a respite home. Respite homes are licensed foster/adoptive homes that take placements for children who already have a permanent foster/adoptive home, but need a break for a few days or a few weeks. A foster placement can last up to two years before a plan is completed and either the child is reunified with parents or relatives or placed into the permanent custody of the state, and during those two years foster parents may have the need to travel out of state, or get a break from the demands of foster parenting.
Why should you be a Caregiver?
If you love children, and want to give them a chance at receiving love, giving love, feeling the stability of a loving family that is all the reason to be a Caregiver. Being a Caregiver is hard work, so if you are up for the challenge there are kids waiting for you!
Why are Caregivers needed?
In 2012, 1,241 children were adopted from foster care in Ohio. Another 2,655 children in Ohio foster care were waiting to be adopted. ~Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS). The numbers really speak for themselves, this is why caregivers are needed. Kids are in the foster care and adoptive systems, they need homes!
How do you become a Caregiver?
Make contact with a reputable foster agency (county or private) and they will walk you through the steps. Initially you fill out a mound of paperwork - getting to know you questions, down to your social security and bank account information. They do BCI/FBI fingerprints and if all checks out, you then can begin the initial foster/adoptive training. Once you have completed all 40 hours of training, had a fire inspection of your home, a home study done by the agency, you wait for your license to be received from the state to your agency. From there, you wait for your first phone call!