Adoption

Pre-Service

Adoption is so much more than the legal, lifetime formation of a family.  Children who yearn for a forever family and parents who choose to adopt come together to create permanent, loving relationships.  The adoptive family and child embark upon a journey of commitment and face the future together.  Every child deserves a family and adoption provides this opportunity.
Reunifying children with their birth family is always the first goal.  However, when children are available for adoption, it is because reunification with their birth family is not possible or in their best interest. 
Families who adopt through Protective Services incur minimal costs.  Additionally, most children placed for adoption are eligible for adoption subsidies.  Members of the permanency team will continue to offer support and services prior to, and after, finalization of adoption.

Classes are held at Fairfield County JFS, 239 W. Main St. Lancaster, Ohio 43130.  The class schedule includes weekday evenings and Saturdays for both sessions.
Please RSVP by calling Ashleigh Duffy-Pratt at 740-652-7734 or by e-mail at [email protected].
​You must attend an Information Night prior to beginning Pre Service.  RSVP is also required for Information Night. ​

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What to Expect

The Process
To begin, contact Fairfield County Protective Services and ask to speak with someone on the foster care and adoption team to request an information packet be sent to you.  Briefly, the process involves attending Information Night and then the 36 hour Pre Service Training classes.  Next, you will complete an application, and finally, the home assessment. 
Guidelines to becoming a foster or foster-to-adopt parent
Fairfield County Protective Services recognizes the decision to become a foster and adoptive parent as a serious commitment. Our agency will make every possible effort to assure all applicants are caring, competent, and confident, as they prepare for the role of caring for children who have experienced the trauma of abuse and neglect. Together, we will work through a multi-step process leading to you becoming a licensed foster parent or a foster-to-adopt parent. There are guidelines that must be met in order to meet licensing and approval. Individuals wanting to foster or adopt must:

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Have sufficient income to meet your basic needs
• Be in good physical condition and capable of caring for a child as verified by the completion of medical statements for all household members
• Receive criminal record checks for all applicants and anyone living in the home who is over eighteen years of age.Record checks include local law enforcement, FBI and BCII.History with child welfare agencies will also be reviewed and documentation gathered.​ ​

​Individuals wanting to be foster or adoptive parents must also:

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Have sufficient income to meet your basic needs
• Be in good physical condition and capable of caring for a child as verified by the completion of medical statements for all household members
• Receive criminal record checks for all applicants and anyone living in the home who is over eighteen years of age.Record checks include local law enforcement, FBI and BCII.History with child welfare agencies will also be reviewed and documentation gathered.​ 
• Attend an Information Night regarding foster care and adoption through Fairfield County Protective Services
• Attend 36 hours of pre-service classes that help prepare caring adults to work with children within the context of the child welfare system
• Provide five positive personal references
• Successfully complete a safety audit of the home and surroundings
• Successfully complete a well test, if applicable.
• Successfully complete a fire inspection

For more information, visit OHIO ADOPTION GUIDE: HANDBOOK FOR PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE FAMILIES

Non-Discrimination Requirements for Foster Care & Adoptive Placements
The Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994, 42 U.S.C. 622(b)(9), 671(a)(18), 674(d) and 1996(b) (MEPA) and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 200d, et seq as it applies to the foster care and adoption process (Title VI), are designed to decrease the time children wait for foster care and adoption placement, prevent discrimination in the placement of children, and aid in the identification and recruitment of foster and adoptive families who can meet each child's needs.  They prohibit any agency using federal funds from denying any person the opportunity to become an adoptive parent or foster caregiver on the basis of race, color or national origin (RCNO) of that person, or of the child involved and from delaying or denying the placement of a child for adoption or foster care on the basis of race, color or national origin of the adoptive parent or parents, of the foster caregiver or caregivers, or the child involved.