Foster Dreams Foster Kids

08/28/2025

If you have been thinking about becoming a foster parent, we are holding IN PERSON classes for the month of September in Lisbon!! Please call 330-420-6644 for more info!! We need loving foster parents for kids ages 0-18!! (and if you would rather do the training virtually we have great options for that too) ☀️🌻☀️🌻

08/07/2025

Take a minute and meet Nani - our new program manager for treatment foster care!

Welcome Nani!

Meet the new Program Manager for the Northeast Treatment Foster Home Program. The Northeast Treatment Foster Home Program is a part of an initiative through Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to create standardized 3-tier foster care system, which would change the treatment foster care landscape statewide for public and private agencies, as well as youth and families.

My name is Nani Shengelya and I am the new program manager. I am very excited to get this program up and going to recruit amazing caregivers from all around. I am passionate about the counties I am involved with and want to be apart of raising the next generation into being successful individuals. I am passionate about helping children and youth while advocating for better services to meet the growing mental health crisis. My background in child welfare has allowed me firsthand experience to see the ongoing placement crisis and we need families now more than ever to open up their hearts and homes.

My position entails recruiting, training, and supporting foster homes at the treatment level while assessing their levels of care. The level of needs is determined by an assessment which allows for foster homes to be paid by tiers.

Tier 1 is $45-$50
Tier 2 is $75-$100
Tier 3 is $125-$150

What makes us stand out you ask? This new initiative boasts ongoing support for treatment foster homes in Medina, Columbiana, and Portage County and trauma informed training. Through trauma-informed care and training, you can change the life of a child in need and unlock a passion you did not know what hidden!

It only takes one adult to change the trajectory of a child’s life. Can you be that adult?

Reach out to Nani Shengelya at 330-235-3137 or [email protected] for more information!

06/15/2024

Stop by Lisbon Fairgrounds for Family Fun Day 11-3. Make sure to stop and visit Gretchen and Ryan at the foster parent recruitment table!!!

06/12/2024

We are so excited to be a part of this pilot program!

Today we announced the launch of our new Treatment Foster Home Pilot Program in 34 Ohio counties. This program will connect more of our foster children with caring families who are equipped to support their needs and help them reach their God-given potential. https://bit.ly/3K4qjRY

06/12/2024

Watch kids closely when they are in or around water. Drowning happens quickly and quietly, so avoid distracting activities like being on a phone. https://go.usa.gov/xuTBf?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

07/14/2023

How do we take care of our Foster Parents? We offer different resources/events that our foster parent's can use to assist them through their time fostering with us.

❤️Respites
❤️Foster Care Picnic
❤️Monthly Check Ins
❤️Variety of supplies offered from Clothes, Diapers, Formula, Wipes
❤️Foster Parent Appreciation Month-In the month of May we get our foster parents a gift from us to thank them for their hard work and dedication that they put in everyday for us and the children.
❤️Summer day camps for them and the children to do activities together and bond

07/10/2023

In order to become certified caregivers you must complete 24 hours of pre-service training and 30 hours of training to re-certify within a 2 year certification! We conveniently offer trainings here at the agency to help assist you in obtaining the hours of training you need! Here is a class currently being offered at our agency for our certified caregivers:

Course: Mental Health Considerations

Course Description: This course provides a basic understanding of mental health disorders and conditions that commonly occur in childhood. Content is shared to illustrate that not all ‘survival’ behaviors or symptoms of grief are connected with mental health disorders. Commonly administered psychotropic medications are described and information about how to obtain consistent, adequate and appropriate access to mental health services is highlighted.

07/07/2023

As Job and Family Services we have expressed how important it is to be a foster parent but we want you to hear from some of the foster parents themselves on how impactful and rewarding it can be to become a foster parent. Here is a few words from our current foster parents about their experiences:

❤"When people find out we’re foster parents, they tell us they couldn’t be foster parents. When I asked them why? They tell us that they would get too attached. I chuckle a little and say attachment is what these children need. They need to be loved unconditionally. Your heart will hurt when they leave but it is all worth it. You will have children that will leave on good terms and you will gain that extended family. You will also have children that leave on bad terms and your heart will ache all the time for them. Knowing that you made a difference in a child’s life, there’s no feeling like that. Being a foster parent is not for everybody but please don’t use the excuse that you might get too attached.”

❤“Our experience’s being foster parents has been one of the most rewarding things we ever did. It’s really great to work hand in hand with an agency that really puts the children first. We get the awesome job of becoming kids extended families and making sure they are all taken care of while we wait for reunification.”

❤“Becoming a foster parent has brought joy and purpose to my life. Each day I get to experience challenge, growth, and excitement; in the kiddos and me. I wish I would have realized the great level of flexibility that is needed when becoming a foster parent.”

07/05/2023

Do you know what the difference is between Fostering, Foster to Adopt, and Respite Care?

❤Fostering-Full-time foster parent(s) are licensed foster parent(s) that love children placed in their home as if they were their own. They support and provide for the day-to-day needs of the child. The child stays in the foster home full-time until permanency is established.

❤Foster to Adopt-While the goal of State Foster Care and City Ministries is reunification, there are times where families can Foster-to-Adopt. A foster-to-adopt program is when a child in state foster is “legally free” for adoption. This happens when a child’s birth parents rights have been terminated by the state and the child is able to be adopted by an approved foster/adoptive family.

❤Respite Care-Respite is a time for the foster family to focus on their needs or take a weekend off. Respite providers often care for children on the weekends or during special respite care requests to help support and retain full time foster parents. They are often viewed as aunts, uncles, and grandparents to their foster children.

06/23/2023

Wondering what is takes to be a foster parent? Becoming a Foster Parent is a serious but rewarding commitment, you must complete the following requirements:

~You must be at least 18 years old.

~At least one person in your home must be able to read, write and speak English, or be able to communicate effectively with both the child and the agency that placed the child in your home.

~You may be single or married.

~All orientations are acceptable.

~All religious affiliations are acceptable.

~You must be able to provide contact information for individuals who can provide references for you.

~Your household must have enough income to meet the basic needs of those already living in the home and to make timely payment of shelter costs.*

~You do not have to own a home but must have enough space available for the children and their belongings.

~You must have a separate bed for each child and separate bedrooms for children if there are boys and girls over age 5.

~You must be free of any physical, emotional or mental conditions that could endanger the child or seriously impair your ability to care for the child.

~A licensed medical professional must complete and sign a medical statement for you and each member of your household stating that you are healthy enough to care for additional children.

~Everyone 18 and over living in the home must have criminal background checks completed, as well as child abuse and neglect checks. If you have concerns about something in your past that you think may disqualify you from being a foster parent, talk to your agency about it.

~Your home must be free of hazardous conditions and pass a fire inspection and safety audit.

~You must complete all preplacement and continuing training required by your agency.

~Some non-safety foster care certification requirements may be waived on a case-by-case basis for kinship caregivers who wish to become certified foster parents to specific kinship children in their care.

05/08/2023

Columbiana County Commissioners declared the month of May 2023 as "Foster Care Month" in Columbiana County and encourage all residents to recognize the valuable services of kinship and foster caregivers.

The national theme for Foster Care Month is "Strengthening Minds, Uplifting Families"

In 2022, 106 children and youth were in foster care in Columbiana County.

144 children throughout Columbiana County lived with kinship caregivers.

Columbiana County currently has 20 certified foster families committed to providing temporary homes for children who cannot safety remain with their primary families.

To all of our foster families that we have licensed or are currently licensing, we THANK YOU for the work you do.

To all the foster families that care for our children, we THANK YOU!

Columbiana County is looking for individuals and families to become licensed foster families.

Why become a foster parent?
You change the course of a child’s life
You’re helping your community and the children in your
community
Learn valuable skills and trauma-informed care
Change future generations-Break the cycle of abuse

*For more information, please visit Columbianacountyjfs.org or FosterAndAdopt.jfs.ohio.gov* -OR- call Haille at 330.420.6635

04/14/2023

Today, I signed Executive Order 2023-09D to to launch the Ohio Adoption Grant Program to provide needed resources for families looking to grow their family through adoption. Learn more: http://bit.ly/40ORhnH