News Release
July 8, 2008
Batavia, Ohio. Have you considered the prospect of becoming a foster parent? If so, now is the time to take the next step. “As the popular athletic commercial encourages, just do it!” says an enthusiastic Dennis Fehlinger. He and his wife, along with many others who are foster parents in Clermont County, share their experiences and answer many of the questions you might have about foster parenting in a free, 29 minute video, produced by the Clermont County Office of Public Information, in cooperation with the Clermont Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS).
“We have a critical need for foster parents,” said Clermont DJFS Director Tim McCartney. “In 2004, we had 214 children who had to be removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. Today, we have over 350 children in county foster care. Unfortunately, because we have a shortage of foster parents, we have to send many of those children to homes outside the county.”
“It breaks my heart to see these children who are already having a tough time, taken away from their schools, friends, and extended families to foster families in other counties,” said Clermont DJFS Foster Care Supervisor Erica Boller.
“As a police officer, I see children living in unbelievable situations,” said John Pryor. In the video, he and his wife, Brandy, discuss how they have enjoyed caring for these children and watching their progress as they receive love and support.
“If you have room in your heart and in your home, I urge you to consider becoming a foster parent,” said DJFS Children’s Protective Services Director Anne Arbaugh. “We have training opportunities and veteran foster parents to serve as your mentors.”
For a free copy of the video, Somebody Knocks, or to learn more about becoming a foster parent, call (513) 732-7173. The video will soon be available online.
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For additional information, please contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathy Lehr at (513) 732-7597.
We appreciate your interest in learning more about foster care and adoption with Clermont County Children’s Services. We are thankful for families who make this world a better place by opening their hearts and homes to children in need. Your help is desperately needed. As Clermont County continues to grow so do the social concerns including those related to drugs and alcohol, mental health, domestic violence and substandard housing.
In 2005, Clermont County Children’s Services received 1,424 new reports of abuse, neglect and maltreatment to children. At any given time, Clermont County Children’s Services has approximately 300 children in care. The vast majority of these children reside with foster parents.
Children who are at risk depend on caring foster families such as yours to provide a safe and nurturing home while their birth families work to resolve their issues of concern. Most children are able to reunite with their families. Unfortunately, some parents are not able to make the needed changes, and it then becomes the responsibility of the Department to secure a permanent home through adoption.
Many families in Clermont County choose to become certified to both foster and adopt with the understanding that if at all possible, children will reunify with their birth family. They also understand if reunification is not possible, it is in the child’s best interest to stay where they have bonded with their caregivers. As such, children unable to reunify with their birth family are oftentimes adopted by their foster parents.
Please explore this website to learn more about our program and the steps involved in becoming a foster/adoptive parent.