Ohio Foster Home Pilot Program Expands to Help More Kids
Ohio is launching a new foster care program to help children with complex needs find stable, loving homes. Governor Mike DeWine announced that the state is providing $2 million to expand a successful model called the Treatment Foster Home Pilot Program.
This program focuses on placing foster children with behavioral health challenges into homes instead of group facilities. The goal is to train and support foster families so they feel prepared to care for kids who need extra help.
How It Works
The pilot program builds on a successful effort in Northwest Ohio, where counties work together to provide foster families with:
- Specialized training to support kids with behavioral needs
- 24/7 on-call support and crisis counseling
- More resources to help foster parents feel confident
Because this approach has been so effective, Ohio is expanding it to 30 more counties, creating nine new regional partnerships. Originally, the plan was to start with 15 counties, but interest was so high that officials decided to double the size of the program.
Why This Matters
Right now, over 1,800 foster children in Ohio live in group homes because there aren’t enough foster families ready to take on their unique needs. By providing extra support, the Ohio foster home pilot program aims to place more children in safe, caring home environments—which can make a huge difference in their lives.
Governor DeWine has made foster care a priority since taking office, working to improve support for foster youth and families. This new program is another step toward making sure every child has a chance to grow up in a stable, loving home.
Interested in fostering a child in Ohio? Visit Ohio’s Foster Care and Adoption page to learn more. And be sure to check out our Adoption Calculator to read information about adoption in your state!
