10:53:51 AM [Visitor] Thank you for the information provided today. Just called to receive a packet and will attend the open house on Monday evening.
10:53:58 AM [Visitor] Thanks again. Have a great day
10:54:28 AM [John Cummings] Great! We'll get that out to you this afternoon. And thanks for your interest and questions.

10:46:46 AM [Visitor ] Thank you ! I will be there.

10:41:22 AM [Visitor ] In today's paper I read you will be having an open house Saturday, will there be someone to answer more questions if I come up with more?
10:44:02 AM [Visitor ] *Monday*
10:45:53 AM [John Cummings] Yes. It's Monday, 6-7 p.m., at 237 William H. Taft Road 45219. We'll have recruitment staff there. If the timing is right, a foster parent will come from SWOFCA, which holds its meeting the same night. Please come. We'd love to see you. If I can't answer all of your questions then, I'll track down whatever information you need and get back to you.

10:39:33 AM [Visitor] If I decide that the 24/7 commitment of being a foster parent is not right for me, are there other ways I can volunteer my time to help with the foster care program?
10:43:16 AM [John Cummings] Sure. You can be a respite provider, which is providing some weekend or other temporary relief for foster parents who may need the break. If you want to help out in other ways, check out the Foster Child Enrichment Council. http://www.helpfosterchildren.org/

10:39:17 AM [Visitor] thanks for your information, my husband and myself may consider registering for classes!
10:40:50 AM [John Cummings] Great. We'd love to have you join us. Just give us a call at 513-632-6366 to register! We'll be happy to send you an information packet. You could stop by our Open House on Monday night, May 11, 6-7 p.m., at 237 William H. Taft Road. Thanks!!!! Hope to see you there.

10:34:45 AM [Visitor] sorry, is there an age "cut-off" for foster parenting?
10:38:07 AM [John Cummings] No. There is no maximum age. As long as you are in good physical, mental and emotional condition to help a child who may not be

10:34:40 AM [Visitor] I am a single person living alone. As long as I meet other requirements, am I still eligible to become a foster parent?
10:36:49 AM [John Cummings] Absolutely. That's one of the biggest myths--that you have to be married. We have lots of good single foster parents.

I've been thinking of becomming a foster parent for some time now, I just have to get myself to do it. One of my biggest concerns is behavioral and mental issues.
10:35:55 AM [John Cummings] That's a good consideration. Most of the children that come into our care come from abuse and neglect situations. So there may be some potential for behavioral and mental health issues to be part of who they are. The good thing is that classes help you prepare to deal with those issues and you have some supports from foster parents and adoptive parents through SWOFCA. They have dealt with many of these issues, sometimes on multiple occasions. So they are a great resource.

10:29:06 AM [Visitor] THANK YOU, FORGOT, WHAT TIME ARE EVE CLASSES?
10:30:24 AM [John Cummings] Usually 6-9 p.m. The only class that is offered different from Tuesday and Thursday is orientation, the very first class. That's offered on Wednesday evenings. Same time. And they're all offered at our 237 William H. Taft Road office.

10:24:28 AM [Visitor] ARE CLASSES ALWAYS AT SAME TIME ON SATURDAYS?
10:26:08 AM [John Cummings] Yes. They run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The first class is in the morning, then a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m., followed by the second class of the day.

10:23:58 AM [Visitor ] Since we have my Granddaughter living with us could we request girls around her age?
10:25:04 AM [John Cummings] Yes. Again, when you go through the homestudy process, you complete a form that allows you to select age ranges, gender, behavioral issues, mental health issues, physical needs that you are willing to accept in a foster placement.

10:21:53 AM [Visitor] I work full time and take classes at night periodically. Does SWOFCA provide daycare or babysitting services?
10:23:39 AM [John Cummings] No, they don't. There is some assistance for child care, but it doesn't cover the whole cost. It might be beneficial in your case to consider fostering older children, but that's up to you. You get to select the age range, gender, behavioral issues that you are willing to accept in a child you care for in your home.

10:17:37 AM [V ] What do I need to provide for the Child?
10:21:19 AM [John Cummings] Initially, you just need to provide a bed and a bedroom. Children usually bring clothing, some personal belongings, with them when they are placed. You would receive some financial assistance to help you cover the costs of food and other things associated with caring for the child. The child also will come with a Medicaid card, so you don't need to worry about medical insurance issues.

10:17:31 AM [Visitor] Do the children attend school in the foster parent's district or continue to go to school from their home district?
10:19:06 AM [John Cummings] Yes. They do. They attend in the foster parent's district. The child's caseworker will take care of any necessary registration.

10:15:48 AM [Visitor] If I accept a child or children and it does not work out, what is the process for removing them from my home?
10:17:49 AM [John Cummings] If your placement isn't working, you would work with the child's caseworker for a new placement. Usually that's completed in a few days or faster if necessary.

10:13:13 AM [Visitor] If I become a foster parent, what type of support is offered?
10:14:03 AM [Visitor] When problems arise, what type of assistance does the program offer?
10:16:14 AM [John Cummings] There is a support group called SWOFCA (Southwest Ohio Family Care Affiliate). They are a group of current foster and adoptive parents who meet monthly to talk about a variety of issues that they face and get support from each other. We also have access to caseworkers, family support workers, and 241-KIDS to assist you. If problems arise with a child in your home, you can call  the child's caseworker or your family support worker for assistance.

10:12:07 AM [V ] Do you have to be employed?
10:13:50 AM [John Cummings] You do have to have a stable and sufficient income that meets your needs. You can be retired, but you at least need to be able to cover your rent or mortgage, utilities, food for yourself, etc. Basically, that you have enough income to take care of yourself and maybe have a little left over.

10:11:03 AM [Visitor] could you please reenter the phone number, to contact, (working on temporary new computer, and unable to see last 4 digits on screen!THANKS!
10:12:21 AM [John Cummings] (513) 632-6366

10:08:42 AM [V ] What do I need to provide?
10:11:20 AM [John Cummings] At orientation, we ask you to complete background check forms. You'll provide a variety of information, such as Social Security numbers, address information, employer info... Those things will be reviewed. The Social Security number helps us with the Sheriff's background check. And that's usually completed within a couple of weeks. We also do a Children's Services background check using that information.

10:06:55 AM [Visitor] so if accepted, process usually takes approximately 6 mths?
10:08:26 AM [John Cummings] Yes. By law, we have up to six months, but it can take less. The important thing is to keep appointments during homestudies and to ensure that you get the classes completed. They are only good for 18 months from the date that you take them.

10:03:37 AM [Visitor] what type of training is provided to become a foster parent?
10:04:42 AM [John Cummings] Good question! Twelve classes cover a variety of topics -- from discipline to issues around abuse and neglect to adjustment issues. That generally takes about five weeks to complete. The homestudy process takes about three to four months.
10:06:18 AM [John Cummings] Classes are offered Tuesdays and Thursday evenings or Saturdays when you'll get two classes in one day. A complete schedule is available by calling us at 513-632-6366.

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