Anyone who suspects a child has been physically, sexually or emotionally abused, or has been neglected (a small child unsupervised, no food, no utilities, etc.) A mandated reporter must report. A mandated reporter is an individual whose occupation puts them into contact with children, such as a teacher, healthcare worker, or psychologist. For a complete list of mandated reporters, please refer to ORC 2151.421.

Licking County Children Services at 740-670-8888 or the Sheriff’s Department at 740-670-5500 after 5:00 pm, on weekends and all legal holidays.

Anytime a report is made, the situation is carefully researched before any action is taken. A social work screener will gather as much information as possible from the reporter: demographics, safety concerns, injuries, observations about the home and family behavior - anything that will help the agency determine the seriousness and risk of the situation. The screener will also check previous history about the family to see if there are any criminal records or previously reported problems. Reports of abuse or neglect that are determined to need a more thorough investigation will result in a personal visit from a social worker . Often, if the allegations concern criminal behavior, a law enforcement officer will team the investigation with the social worker.

No. Your identity will be kept confidential and not released. In accordance with ORC 2151.421, the reporter is protected from any liability if the report of child abuse or neglect was made in good faith.

It is our goal to help families stay together, be safe, learn healthy habits, and become a strong family unit. Even in those situations where a child must be temporarily removed, we work hard to help the family overcome their problems. We create a plan with each family to help them address these concerns. Most families that we see want to improve their situation and are willing to cooperate with their plans.

Children Services is committed to helping families overcome problems and become a stronger, healthier family. Sometimes, however, it is not safe for the child to stay in their home. If the assessment of the social worker determines that the situation is dangerous to the child, then a team meeting is held, often with the family, to make a plan to keep the child safe. If that cannot happen then the court system must become involved. Only a magistrate or a judge can issue an order for the child to be removed. Within one working day, a court hearing is scheduled with all parties in order to determine what is best for the child. If the judge decides it is best for the child to live elsewhere, then the judge can give the agency an emergency form of custody, until the next court hearing. Very often, the child will live with other relatives (Kinship Care), in order to provide a familiar home setting. During the separation time, Children Services works with the parents to create a stable, safe home, so the child may be able to return. While the goal of the agency is to keep families together, it is sometimes not safe to let a child return to their home. Some families simply cannot overcome their problems, despite all the help provided. In those situations, the agency will make a permanent plan for the child.

In order to become a foster parent, you will need to complete 24 hours of classroom training (this is called preservice training) and a family homestudy.

The homestudy process consists of thorough interviews of family members, paperwork, background checks, and home safety checks. The homestudy is used to determine if fostering is right for your family and if so, what children best match your family. This process can take 90-180 days to complete.

Yes, we have foster parents who are homemakers, who work part-time, and who work full-time. As long as your job allows you flexibility for things like appointments for the children in your home and meetings with the agency staff, you can work full-time.

If child care is needed for your foster child, there may be an opportunity for child care assistance through the agency.

There is no specific time frame in which a placement may be received or how frequently one may be requested.

When a child needs a foster placement, a foster care coordinator will review all known information (at the time) and demographics of the child and their family with you before you decide if you’re comfortable and capable of meeting the child’s needs.

If you accept placement, you may be requested to come to the agency to pick up the child and complete/receive required paperwork.

By law, the agency is required to search for kinship placements throughout the duration of the case. Should a kinship family be identified and approved, the foster child will transition into their home.

Upon accepting placement, you agree to care for the child and are responsible for transportation to family visits and other appointments. As long as you are licensed through Licking County there may be an opportunity for the agency to assist with transportation. Family visit schedules vary from case to case. One could expect visits to be anywhere from weekly to bi-weekly for up to 2-4 hours.

Yes, there are times that you will have to interact with the birth family. You are not obligated to share any of your personal contact information and can receive guidance from your assigned foster care coordinator regarding the situation if needed.

A foster care coordinator will be assigned to your family upon licensure. They will visit your home quarterly to check in until you receive placement. If you have an active foster placement in your home, the foster care coordinator will check-in bi-monthly, and the child’s caseworker will be required to visit your home 1 time per month at a minimum. There are also other individuals that will be required to see the child in your home.

It takes the average family 12-24 months to successfully reunify with their children. Each case is different and specific to the family’s needs to achieve safe reunification. Not every child will be reunified, but that is the goal at the start of every case.

If a child cannot return to their family, and the parents rights are terminated, that child may be available for adoption. You will be part of the adoption planning and transition process. You are not obligated to adopt a foster child placed in your home if you do not wish to do so.

You can learn more about foster care here: https://fosterandadopt.jfs.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/ofc/