At glance:
• Foster care places children temporarily with approved caregivers when their own home is unsafe, with the goal of reunification, adoption, or another permanent plan.
• Ohio licenses foster caregivers through private and public agencies that provide training, support, and matching services.
• Agencies serving Lancaster, OH connect local children with screened foster families while coordinating closely with county caseworkers.
A foster care service matches children who cannot safely remain in their own homes with licensed caregivers, while coordinating training, casework, and support until a permanent plan is reached. These services operate as a bridge between child welfare agencies, courts, and families willing to open their homes temporarily or long-term.
Families and professionals researching a Foster Care Service typically want to understand licensing steps, the types of placements available, and what ongoing support looks like once a child is placed. Private, licensed agencies handle much of this work alongside county public children services agencies, recruiting and training caregivers and then matching them with children referred by the courts or county workers. Understanding how these pieces fit together helps both prospective caregivers and the families children come from.
How the Foster Care System Works in Ohio
Ohio’s child welfare system operates through a mix of county public children services agencies and private certified agencies that recruit, license, and support foster families. According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, public children services agencies investigate reports of abuse or neglect and determine whether a child needs out-of-home placement.
Private agencies then often handle the recruitment, training, and certification of foster caregivers, filling a role that complements county casework. This structure means a family in Fairfield County, where Lancaster, OH sits, may work with a private agency for licensing while the county retains legal custody of a placed child.
Key stages in the process generally include:
• Referral from a county agency after a child is removed from home
• Matching based on the child’s needs and the caregiver’s approved profile
• Placement, followed by ongoing casework visits and court reviews
• A permanency goal, such as reunification, relative placement, or adoption
Types of Placements and Caregiver Options
Not every foster placement looks the same, and agencies typically offer more than one pathway for caregivers depending on availability, training, and household composition.
| Placement Type | Typical Duration | Caregiver Commitment |
| Emergency/respite care | Days to a few weeks | Short-term, flexible scheduling |
| Traditional foster care | Weeks to months | Ongoing daily caregiving |
| Therapeutic foster care | Months to longer-term | Specialized training for higher-need children |
| Foster-to-adopt | Varies until permanency | Long-term commitment with adoption intent |
Caregivers interested in any of these tracks generally complete a home study, background checks, and pre-service training before a child is placed. Agencies based in Columbus, OH frequently serve families across a wider region, which allows caregivers in surrounding communities to access the same licensing and support resources without needing a local branch office nearby.
What Foster Families in Lancaster, OH Should Expect
Families in Lancaster, OH considering foster care usually start by contacting either Fairfield County Job and Family Services or a licensed private agency that serves the area. Based in Columbus, OH, agencies such as the one behind this profile extend their licensing and placement services to families across Lancaster, OH and nearby communities, even without a physical office in the city.
Caregivers should expect:
• An initial inquiry call followed by an orientation session
• A home study covering safety, finances, and household readiness
• Pre-service training hours required before certification
• Ongoing caseworker visits once a child is placed
Local factors matter too. Rural and suburban housing in Fairfield County can affect bedroom and space requirements during the home study, so caregivers should confirm specific standards with their licensing agency before beginning renovations or purchases.
Business Info
Kids Count Too operates as a child placement and foster care agency serving families in the Columbus, OH area and surrounding communities. Additional details about the agency’s services and licensing information are available through its Google Business Profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a public and private foster care agency? Public agencies, run by the county, hold legal custody of children and make placement decisions, while private agencies often handle caregiver recruitment, training, and ongoing support under contract or certification from the state.
How long does foster care licensing take? Licensing timelines vary by agency and county, but the process generally includes background checks, a home study, and completion of required pre-service training hours before a caregiver can accept a placement.
Can foster families choose the age or type of child they care for? Caregivers typically indicate preferences and limitations during the home study process, and agencies use that profile to match children whose needs align with the household’s capacity and training.
Does foster care always lead to adoption? Reunification with biological family is the most common permanency goal, though adoption becomes the plan when reunification is not possible or safe for the child.
Looking Into Local Foster Care Options
Readers weighing whether to pursue foster caregiving can review licensing requirements through county resources before contacting an agency directly. Additional background on agency operations and service areas, including Kids Count Too, is available for those comparing local options.
