What We Do :: Interested in Adoption? :: Considering Foster Parenting
 - Thinking about adoption or foster parenting?
There are currently over 2,000 children living in foster homes in Cuyahoga County. Most of these children will be reunited with their parents, but around 700 children are in foster care while waiting to be adopted. Some foster parents eventually plan to become adoptive parents and may foster a child with hopes of adopting him or her, while others have no intention of adopting and open their homes to children temporarily in need.
While Adoption Network Cleveland does not offer training for prospective foster parents, many private adoption agencies and the Cuyahoga County Department of Family Services offer licensing training, and we can help you find the best agency to meet your needs.
For more information on foster parenting, continue reading, or call an Adoption Navigator at (216) 325-1000.
Typically, people consider becoming foster parents long before they take the necessary steps to actually become licensed. Rightly so; foster parenting is a big commitment, and involves the time, effort and sacrifice of everyone in the household.
Prospective foster parents have many questions about what it takes to become a licensed foster parent. The first requirement is a desire and an ability to provide a safe and stable home for children in need. Other requirements, mandated by the state, are:
- Foster parents must be 21 years old.
- Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services (CCDCFS) will license homes for foster care in Cuyahoga County or one of the 5 adjacent counties. These are: Lorain, Medina, Summit, Geauga and Lake Counties. You may choose to become licensed by a private agency. If you live outside of this area, please contact a private or public child welfare agency in your area for more information.
- Foster parents need to have enough living and sleeping space in their homes to accommodate additional children. It's not permissible to use attic, basement or tandem bedrooms for foster children. (A tandem bedroom is one in which you have to walk through another room to get to it; it lacks a separate and private entrance.)
- If you rent, you'll need your landlord's approval to become a foster parent.
- Misdemeanor and felony convictions may or may not prohibit you from becoming a foster parent. There are certain convictions which will make you ineligible. However, it's best to discuss this with a social worker from your agency.
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