Ohio kids need you to provide safe, loving and stable households for them to heal, grow and thrive in.

Requirements to become a Foster Parent

• 18 years of age or older

• Rent or own a home

• Complete training hours (which you are compensated for)

• Pass required background checks

• Maintain a safe standard of living

What the Marsh Foundation Offers

• 24/7 support with trained staff’s direct cell phone numbers (no extensions required)

• Help navigating the children’s services system

• Training provided in your home on your schedule

• Family style support gatherings

• Connections to community resources

Things to remember

• You can do this

• You are in control of who comes into your home, you can say NO.

• You are not alone

• This will change your life, by changing the lives of others

The Marsh Foundation foster homes have housed over 50 children in the last year between 20 different foster homes located in seven different counties in the state of Ohio. The average age of children placed in foster homes is age six. Families from all over the spectrum are providing quality care for children in need. Our families include teachers, medical professionals, tradesmen, law enforcement, and factory workers. They include homes with a stay-at-home parent or homes with two working parents. Our families do not have to fit a mold as the children we work with do not have molds to fit into. Do not hesitate to reach out for more information, children are depending on it.

Call (419) 238-KIDS Today.

Pictured is The Marsh Foundation’s foster care and adoption center located on Westwood Drive in Van Wert.

All foster parents go through more than 35 hours of intensive training before they can become licensed and have a child placed in their home. They are then required to have additional training hours throughout the year to maintain their license. Foster parents can be married couples or single individuals.

Consultants are assigned to each foster parent and are available 24 hours, seven days a week. They help create the youth’s treatment plan, offer support and are available in crisis situations.

The Marsh works hard to ensure that foster parents have the support needed to make placements successful for youth. The Marsh Foundation is certified by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and is a Member of the Foster Family-Based Treatment Association, giving us a wide range of experiences and support to draw from.

The Marsh Foundation has pursued the ability to license homes with a dual foster care and adoption license. This means that families that may be interested in adopting their foster children in the future can simplify the process with The Marsh Foundation. The Marsh can facilitate the entire adoption process. If they decide to adopt in the future, much of the process is already done. If they don’t ever decide to adopt, there is no harm in having a dual license.

The largest benefit of becoming a foster parent is the satisfaction that comes from helping kids in need. That benefit is immeasurable. Foster parents are also substantially reimbursed for costs associated with caring for a foster child.