LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — With more than 16,000 children in protective custody across Ohio, a regional foster care placement agency is encouraging more families to consider becoming respite foster caregivers.
Adriel Foster Care says the need for foster families remains high, but many people are hesitant to commit to full-time fostering because of the responsibility involved. To help address those concerns, the agency offers a respite foster care program that provides temporary care for children while giving full-time foster families a break.
"We have just as much need for respite care as we do for full-time foster families. The application process is the same, but the difference is you can say yes when you're ready for a weekend, when you're ready for a day, you have the opportunity to take that child into your home. You're subsidized financially, so there's no burden to you," said Steven Kenworthy, development and compliance director for Adriel.
Respite foster parents complete the same application and approval process as full-time foster families but can choose when they are available to care for a child, whether for a day, a weekend or another short-term stay.
Those interested in learning more about Adriel's respite foster care program can visit Adriel.org.
