The Meigs County Department of Job and Family Services is dedicated to providing a safe and healthy family life for all children. We need your help.

The primary goal of the Meigs County Department of Job and Family Services is to protect the children by helping their parents to deal with family problems. We believe that if a home can be a safe place, it is the best place for children. Removal from the home by a juvenile court, however, may be necessary for some children who are endangered as a result of abuse or neglect. In these instances, children need to be provided with a temporary safe environment. Meigs County needs your help by becoming a foster care parent to provide this environment.

Foster parents are people who provide a caring, temporary home for children unable to live with their birth family. Foster parents can be married or single, renters or homeowners, with or without children of their own and can also work outside the home. Foster parents work towards the ultimate goals of helping children grow, strengthening families, and reuniting children with their parents.

Foster homes are needed for children of all ages (birth to 18). However, there are critical needs for certain children, such as:
 

·         Sibling groups, who should be able to remain together.

·         Children with physical, developmental and emotional disabilities needs.

·         Children who need to be taken care of on an emergency basis.

·         Children who are emotionally or mentally troubled.

·         Teenagers.

It is impossible to predict how long a child will be in foster care. However, expedient permanency for the child is the ultimate goal of the agency.

If you make the decision to become a foster parent, the agency will begin the state licensing procedure. This process includes being interviewed by a social worker for a home study, a medical report, references and a brief check of the physical condition of the home. Foster parents also receive training to expand their knowledge of children and strengthen their ability to care for these children.

For more information on becoming a foster parent please contact the Meigs County Department of Job and Family Services at area code (740) 992-2117 and ask to speak with a foster care specialist. This individual will be happy to answer any questions that you have or send you additional information.