Foster care
A single-family foster
home is an option for those unable to continue
providing direct, 24-hour care for a loved
one with disabilities. Hattie Larlham's
foster care program features families who
open their hearts and homes to provide assistance
with long-term placements.
To ensure an individual
with disabilities receives appropriate placement,
an initial assessment is conducted that
determines the individual's needs and wants
as well as those of the family or caregiver.
All prospective foster
care families are first screened to determine
eligibility. Participants are eligible to
become a foster parent if they are at least
21 years of age, self-supporting and willing
to make a long-term commitment to provide
a loving, clean and safe home for someone
with a disability. They must also be willing
to complete a homestudy that includes a
reference check, finger printing, medical
clearance, home inspection and other state
requirements.
Additionally, specific
training to the individual and trial visits
to the home are conducted by the foster
care director. A long-term placement is
made only when all training is complete
and a comfort level has been established
between the foster family and the individual.
Foster care nurses, service
coordinators and the foster care program
director offer on-going support and training
for foster care providers. This support
includes regular home visits, medical assistance,
a newsletter and assistance accessing services
in the community.
Our foster care network
currently includes more than 35 foster homes
throughout Ohio. All of our homes are approved
by Hattie Larlham and/or licensed by the
Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services
(ODJFS) or the Ohio Department of Developmental
Disabilities (ODDD).
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