Adopt through Foster Care

When children and sibling groups are in the temporary custody of the Ottawa County Department of Job and Family Services, they are placed into foster homes. The foster homes are licensed. When a child is placed into the permanent custody of the Ottawa County Department of Job and Family Services and the child becomes available for adoption, the goal of Ottawa County Children Services is to find them a permanent home as quickly as possible. Children Services is mandated to look for the least restrictive setting; this is completed by a series of state-mandated meetings and through the following rule located in the Ohio Administrative Code:

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5101:2-48-16 Adoption Pre-placement and Placement Procedures:

Regardless of the geographic location, the following preferential order shall be given when considering families in the matching process:

  1. All adult relatives of the child. This includes a relative or non-relative who the birth mother has indicated by name as a potential resource to adopt the child.
    1. The identified relative or non-relative shall have, at a minimum, a signed JFS 01691 Application for Child Placement (download from the forms bin above) or other signed adoption application on file with another state at least five working days prior to the matching conference.
    2. The identified relative or non-relative shall meet all relevant state child protection standards unless the PCSA or PCPA determines that the placement is not in the best interest of the child.
  2. The child’s foster caregiver who is approved to adopt or who has completed the JFS 01691 at least five working days prior to the matching conference unless the agency determines that the placement is not in the best interest of the child.
  3. Other suitable approved prospective adoptive families.