* For information about foster care, see www.hcfoster.org
* For info about adoption, see www.hcadopt.org

Question: How many foster parents are needed in Hamilton County at this time?
John Cummings: As many as we can get. We always have a need for foster parents. Children in our care are being placed too far away in many cases--far from homes that they know, far from schools that they know. We need foster parents here to help us limit those disruptions in their lives.

Question: What is the most common question you hear from people interested in becoming an adoptive parent?
John Cummings: How long will I wait for a child? When you adopt, you have the opportunity to view children from across the country, not just Hamilton County. Some people are very specific about the children they would like to see come into their family. So we encourage people to be open to fostering because there might be a child available for adoption who does well in their home and becomes part of their family.

Question: What is the most common question you hear from people interested in becoming foster parents?
John Cummings: How long does the training process take? While classes take up to five weeks to complete, the homestudy can take as much as 180 days (six months). It's usually closer to four months because it's an intensive process.

Question: What's makeup of a typical foster family -- married, in their 40's, or single, etc.?
John Cummings: In Hamilton County, it's probably about 60 percent married couples; 40 percent single. They range in age from 21 to 60-plus.

Question: It seems like this would be an excellent opportunity for someone whose kids are in their 20's and on their own, maybe a social worker or nurse... people who like helping others. Is that true?
John Cummings: Sure. Foster parents come from all walks of life. Some have their own children still at home. Some have grown children. But all still believe they have something to give to another child.

Question: Would you describe some of the kids who are available for adoption? Who comes to mind as someone who really, really wants a home and would greatly enhance their life by being adopted?
John Cummings: There are so many! Of the 216 kids still available for adoption, it's hard to single one out, or two. You can see a lot of their stories on www.hcadopt.org right now.

Question: What  is an example of a successful adoption that comes to mind?
John Cummings: A set of twins who were adopted last year. They went to live with a couple in North Carolina on a large farm with lots of animals. That was a true success story for them because they got to go to a home that they envisioned for themselves. That was great to see.

Question: How do you recruit adoptive parents for a specific child?
John Cummings: There is a new unit, recently created, Child Specific Recruitment. Recruiters there carry a caseload of kids and comb records, search for families throughout our county and other counties, as well as other tactics, to get them the permanency they deserve. They also work with people who send inquiries through www.hcadopt.org about specific children. It's been a great addition to the recruitment efforts to ensure that we're doing all we can to help children have the families they would want to be connected to the rest of their lives.

Question: Is there financial help for adoptive parents?
John Cummings: There are a variety of options that may be available. Those are usually discussed once placement and finalization move forward. Because each child's case will be different, amounts will vary. You can discuss that with caseworkers as you move through the process.

Question: What about training? It seems like they only offer five-week sessions. Is that all there is?
John Cummings: No. Trainers are testing a new 2-week session. All 12 classes would be covered over two weekends, Friday-Sunday. There will be one session like that this fall. We'll know more in the next few weeks, so if you are interested, let us know by calling 513-632-6366. We also have classes on Saturdays. Those usually cover two classes in one day. We're trying to give people different options.

Question: Once you become a foster parent, what kind of support is available?
John Cummings: A foster care support worker is assigned to each family. They work to stay in touch with families to make sure that they have what they need, answer any questions, provide guidance... There is also SWOFCA (Southwest Ohio Family Care Affiliate). They meet monthly and talk about a variety of issues important to foster and adoptive parents, and to support each other. There is also a mentoring group. Foster parents who have been around for awhile are paired with newer foster parents to answer questions and share experiences. Interested foster parents can talk to their foster care support worker about those groups.

Question: What happens if a foster home placement is just not working -- if a child just doesn't seem to be doing well in a particular home?
John Cummings: Foster parents will always have access to the child's caseworker and there is always 241-KIDS to help. They can offer suggestions to deal with specific situations or, if it's truly a problem situation for you, they can assist with finding a new home for the child.

Question: Anything else you would like to say? This has been most informative. I hope it encourages those interested in foster parenting or adoption to continue their research and, hopefully, make the decision to become a foster or adoptive parent.
John Cummings: Absolutely. We have a tremendous need for foster parents to help us keep children as close to Hamilton County as possible. If you're even just toying with the idea of becoming a foster parent, call us for information and to ask questions. The number is 513-632-6366. You really can make a difference in the lives of children, who have been through a lot in their young lives. And you learn a lot about yourself in the process.