VAN WERT, Ohio – In order to meet growing needs at The Marsh Foster Care and Adoption Center, the organization has hired a third foster care consultant. Megan Riemesch, LSW, is excited to join the team and brings with her experience and education that will benefit the youth at The Marsh Foundation.
“Becoming a foster parent is a brave decision. I’m excited to support families of all kinds through the good, bad, frustrating, most amazing times of their lives,” Riemesch said.
Riemesch obtained her degree in social work from The Ohio State University. Previous positions at Westwood Behavioral Health and Allen County Children’s Services have given her a broad base of experience to draw from.
As a case manager, Riemesch has worked with individuals of all ages. “I truly want to help others and that is why I chose a career in social work in the first place. This position will allow me to do just that,” she said.
The foster care and adoption division at The Marsh Foundation continues to grow to meet the increasing number of children in care. “We are excited about the opportunity to have Megan join our team,” said Marsh foster care supervisor, Melissa Snyder. “Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more children needing care. Thankfully, we are fortunate to have a strong, compassionate staff that use their talents to work closely with these families and children,” she added.
Riemesch recently married her husband Brent and the couple resides in Lima with their two dogs, Runner and Calvin.
The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides services in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, family foster care (ages 0-17), an intensive treatment program, adoption and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 36 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster care children and community members.
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Photo caption: The Marsh Foundation has hired Megan Riemesch, LSW, as a foster care consultant.
VAN WERT, Ohio – Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a foster parent? Do you have questions about the process? Are you concerned you don’t have what it takes? Are you interested in adoption? The Marsh Foundation Foster Care and Adoption Center is holding a free event that can help answer these questions and more.
On Thursday, November 8, between 6 and 8 p.m. you can attend an informational open house and have all of your questions answered. This event offers a no obligation opportunity to ask questions. Information will be provided in a relaxed environment.
Did you know?
- The licensing process takes 3-6 months.
- Couples and single individuals are eligible.
- Complete, extensive training is provided prior to child placement (36 hours).
- Supportive, 24-hour on-call consultation available.
- Substantial reimbursement for those who qualify.
- We only place kids in your home that you accept.
- Potential parents must be 21 or older.
- Parents may own or rent their home.
Join us at 102 W. Main Street in Van Wert on November 8 between 6 and 8 p.m. Marsh Foundation representatives will be on hand to answer questions. Refreshments will also be provided.
The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides services in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, family foster care (ages 0-17), an intensive treatment program, adoption and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 36 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster care children and community members.
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VAN WERT, Ohio – As The Marsh Foundation Foster Care and Adoption division continues to grow, a grand opening and ribbon cutting was held last week at their new location downtown. The Foster Care and Adoption Center, 102 W. Main Street in Van Wert, will now house office space as well as a training and visitation area.
“We are so grateful to the Van Wert community for their ongoing support,” said Melissa Snyder, foster care supervisor. “There are so many children needing help and our community has really stepped up to help us meet that need.” In the past year, The Marsh has licensed an additional 10 foster families. “This is incredible, and crucial to our mission,” Snyder added.
As May begins, the agency will be celebrating National Foster Care Appreciation Month. “We are so appreciative of our foster families, their dedication, and the sacrifices they make in order to give kids a loving home,” said Kim Mullins, executive director of Child and Family Services at The Marsh. “The month of May gives us an extra opportunity to show them our appreciation.”
The Marsh Foundation is continuing to grow. In addition to their consistent effort to recruit more foster families, they are also hiring another licensed social worker for the downtown Van Wert office. For more information, visit www.marshfoundation.org.
The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides services in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, family foster care (ages 0-17), an intensive treatment program, adoption and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 36 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster care children and community members.
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Photo caption: The Marsh Foundation held a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony at their new Foster Care and Adoption Center last week.
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VAN WERT, Ohio – Again this year, an egg hunt was the highlight of Easter weekend on The Marsh Foundation Campus. It was all made possible by the Shirley Haight family, who sponsored the festivities for the eighth consecutive year.
The Easter egg hunt has become an annual tradition on The March campus that youth and staff both anxiously anticipates. The youth enjoy and the staff appreciates the extra smiles it brings to the youths’ faces. “The donations we receive from the Haight family are a double blessing,” said Kim Mullins, executive director of Child and Family Services at The Marsh Foundation. “The special day has an inspirational impact on our kids and the sizable, generous donation helps our resources to go even further.”
Haight’s daughter, Cindy Henderson and her family, went above and beyond again this year to make Easter even more special for youth currently residing at The Marsh Foundation. The family’s generosity and creativity are extremely thoughtful, even down to the smallest details.
“They think of all the details and their generosity each year makes Easter an extra special holiday on our campus.” In the 1940s, Shirley Haight came to live at The Marsh. Now, her daughters and grandson continue to give back to the campus at Easter time. The family provided eggs, baskets and gifts for all of the youth on campus. Although Haight passed away in 1988, her family has made a tradition out of donating. It was a memorable day and enjoyed tremendously by Marsh Foundation youth.
The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides services in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, family foster care (ages 0-17), an intensive treatment program, adoption and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 36 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster care children and community members.
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VAN WERT, Ohio – The Marsh Foundation will hold a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony for the new Foster Care and Adoption Center on Thursday, April 26 beginning at 11 a.m. An open house will follow until 1 p.m. The building, located at 102 W. Main Street in Van Wert, has been renovated and updated in order to house the new downtown facility. Everyone is welcome to attend the ceremony and tour the Center.
The main level is now equipped to hold office and training space for The Marsh’s growing foster care and adoption division. “As our agency continues to grow and serve more children, it became apparent that we needed additional space that was more accessible to the community,” said Kim Mullins, executive director of Child and Family Services at The Marsh.
In recent months, The Marsh has been focused on recruiting more foster and adoptive families. The increase in efforts has brought several new families onboard. As a result, more training events are taking place, more treatment meetings are being held and more children are being placed in homes. “It is a great feeling to see our number of dedicated foster and adoptive families growing,” said Melissa Snyder, foster care and adoption supervisor. “We are excited to move into this new office space. It will allow us to continue to grow and give us a convenient, accessible location to meet with prospective and current parents.”
Formerly Next, the building received a face lift from Alexander & Bebout over the past several weeks. In addition, The Marsh maintenance crews did a great deal of work painting and moving furniture. The new sign, made by Wilkinson Printing in Van Wert, was recently installed.
Over the past year, The Marsh Foster Care Division has grown and added three new full-time positions in the Van Wert community. Currently, the department is seeking a licensed social worker. The Foster Care and Adoption staff is looking forward to seeing you at the Grand Opening on Thursday, April 26 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides services in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, family foster care (ages 0-17), an intensive treatment program, adoption and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 36 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster care children and community members.
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Photo caption: Pictured is The Marsh Foundation’s dedicated and caring Foster Care team in front of our new Foster Care and Adoption Center in downtown Van Wert. L to R: Breanna Zipfel, Beth Dye, Melissa Snyder and Pamela Reagan.
VAN WERT, Ohio – For the sixth year in a row, Project Believe has helped to make Christmas a little brighter for youth at The Marsh Foundation. The organization, which originated in 2007, has grown from serving 10 kids at Christmas to 10 entire facilities this year alone.
Tammie Rafferty, the group’s founder, was inspired to help others by her own daughter’s circumstances. Their mission is to enrich the lives of youth and their caregivers in residential treatment centers. They provide gifts at Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter and back-to-school time at various facilities.
Christmas gifts include things like pajamas, blankets, books, board games, art sets and journals. Each group home also received a bag of items to share among the house. Director of Residential Services, Kathleen Davis, graciously accepted all of the gifts on behalf of the staff before they were stashed away in anticipation for Christmas morning.
You can learn more about Project Believe by visiting their website at www.projectbelive.net. Or, you can contact Rafferty directly at .
The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides services in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, family foster care (ages 0-17), an intensive treatment program, adoption and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 36 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster care children and community members.
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Photo caption: Director of Residential Services, Kathleen Davis, is pictured with Tammie Rafferty and Project Believe’s delivery.
VAN WERT, Ohio – The Marsh Foundation School held its 
annual holiday celebration before Christmas break. The day included performances by The Marsh School choir as well as 15 individual and group performances. Students were encouraged to choose holiday and winter songs for the audience to enjoy.
In addition to the musical program, a graduation ceremony was held and two students were honored for receiving their high school diplomas. Zildjian Galliher attended The Marsh for two-and-a-half years and plans to enlist in the military. Xavier Puterbaugh also attended The Marsh for two-and-a-half years and has returned to his home county and enrolled in an independent living program.
Many of the youth’s friends and families, as well as community members joined in the celebration. Following the program in the auditorium, everyone in attendance enjoyed a holiday themed luncheon in the cafeteria.
The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides services in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, family foster care (ages 0-17), an intensive treatment program, adoption and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 36 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster care children and community members.
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Photo caption: Principal, Robbie Breese, is pictured with The Marsh Foundation School winter graduates, Xavier Puterbaugh (left) and Zildgian Galliher (right).
VAN WERT, Ohio – Beth Dye, LSW, has been a licensed social worker in Ohio for more than 25 years. After obtaining her bachelor’s degrees in social work and psychology from at the University of Bluffton, she originally began her career at The Marsh Foundation and worked there for three years before a programming change. Now, she has been rehired as a foster care clinical provider at The Marsh.
“I am thrilled to once again be working with kids. Children and youth are always where my heart has been,” Dye said. “I went into the field of social work to be able to work with people. I enjoy supporting others as they grow and become successful in whatever they chose to do.”
The foster care and adoption division at The Marsh Foundation continues to grow in order to meet the increasing number of children in care. Because trauma is common with children in foster care, the clinical component of the program continues to be extremely important. “Many of the children we serve have suffered from neglect or various forms of abuse,” said Kim Mullins, executive director of Child and Family Services at The Marsh. “Because of that, we put a strong emphasis on counseling within all of our programs.”
Dye said that she is excited to be a part of the growth of the program at The Marsh. “Life can be tough, and often we are not aware of just what others have experienced or are experiencing. I especially like being an advocate for someone who doesn’t have a voice,” she said. “It is important to let people know that there is someone on their side, who will listen to their concerns and then help them achieve their goals. Everyone needs to know that there is someone in their corner.”
Dye brings with her several years of experience as a medical/hospice social worker at Community Health Professionals. She and her husband, Kelly, have twin daughters Claire and Katie. “The Marsh Foundation is a very important part of Van Wert’s history and their services and outreach to youth and their families is exceptional. I have many good memories of working here years ago and am happy to be a part of the Marsh family once again,” Dye added.
The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides services in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, family foster care (ages 0-17), an intensive treatment program, adoption and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 36 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster care children and community members.
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Photo caption: The Marsh Foundation has hired Beth Dye, LSW, as a foster care clinical provider.
VAN WERT, Ohio – The Marsh Foundation has purchased the building at 102 W. Main Street in Van Wert and plans to utilize the space as the agency's new Foster Care and Adoption Center.
The three story building will undergo several renovations in order to turn the main level into office and training space for The Marsh's growing foster care and adoption division. "As our agency continues to grow and serve more children, it became apparent that we needed additional space that was more accessible to the community," said Kim Mullins, executive director of Child and Family Services at The Marsh.
In recent months, The Marsh has been focused on recruiting more foster and adoptive families. The increase in efforts has brought several new families onboard. As a result, more training events are taking place, more treatment meetings are being held and more children are being placed in homes. "It is a great feeling to see our number of dedicated foster and adoptive families growing," said Melissa Gearhart, foster care and adoption supervisor. "This new office space will allow us to continue to grow and give us a convenient, accessible location to meet with prospective and current parents."
Formerly Next, the building will receive a facelift from Alexander & Bebout over the next several weeks. Contractors will work to create offices, training space as well as a conference room. A move-in date is planned for the first quarter of 2018 and an open house will be held for the public at that time.
The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides services in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, family foster care (ages 0-17), an intensive treatment program, adoption and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 36 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster care children and community members.
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Photo caption: The Marsh Foundation has purchased the building at 102 W. Main Street in Van Wert. Melissa Gearhart, foster care and adoption supervisor (L) and Kim Mullins, executive director of Child and Family Services at The Marsh, are pictured in front of the future home of the agency’s Foster Care and Adoption Center.
Governor Kasich Declares November Adoption Recognition and Recruitment Month in Ohio
VAN WERT, Ohio – National Adoption Month is an initiative to increase national awareness and bring attention to the need for permanent families for children and youth in the U.S. foster care system.
Each year, the initiative focuses its outreach and awareness-raising efforts around a new adoption-related theme. This year’s theme, “Teens Need Families, No Matter What,” highlights the importance of identifying well-prepared and committed families for the thousands of teenagers in foster care. Many of these young people are less likely to be adopted, often because of their age, and will too often age out of the system without a healthy, stable support system.
Having permanent family connections provides teenagers with the critical legal and emotional support that all young people need as they transition into adulthood and possibly continue their education, seek employment, start new relationships, and find their way.
Please see the attached proclamation from Governor Kasich declaring November 2017 ‘Adoption Recognition and Recruitment Month.’
National Adoption Month is an initiative sponsored by the Children's Bureau, in partnership with AdoptUSKids and Child Welfare Information Gateway. Each November, National Adoption Month brings awareness to the needs of children and youth waiting for a "forever family." This year the theme is building an effective local response system to support prospective families in the initial stages of considering a teen adoption—and the later stages of preparing for and adjusting to it—by offering support services at every step. Teenagers are often hard to place, but they are as much in need of permanency as younger children and risk exiting the foster care system without any legal or emotional ties. A young person bereft of any family ties lacks the foundational support and compass all youth need as they mature into adulthood.
There are many children, ages 0 -18, needing homes in Van Wert County and the surrounding areas. If you are interested in foster care or adoption, please call The Marsh Foundation at 419.238.1695 ext. 307 or visit www.marshfoundation.org/helpkids.
The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides services in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, family foster care (ages 0-17), an intensive treatment program, adoption and independent living. Located in Van Wert, Ohio, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 36 children ages 7 – 17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2 – 12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster care children and community members.
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