Happy New Year
Welcome to 2023!
Message from
Executive Director Cassandra Holtzmann

Happy New Year and
Welcome to 2023! 

I hope you and your families enjoyed a safe and peaceful holiday season. Beginning a new year presents the opportunity for a new start that brings hope for good things ahead. 

At Summit County Children Services (SCCS) we work together as a team to promote best practices for children and families. Through our work, we are building families, empowering lives, and fostering futures. We believe every child deserves a safe and permanent family. As foster and kinship families, you are a part of that solution.

As we all embrace this new year together, there is still work to be done. With over 860 children in care, you are playing a key part in the positive development of many children. I encourage you to continue to stay motivated and inspired to help meet their on-going needs. Our staff are here to support you. 

On behalf of the children and families we serve, thank you for all you do. I am so grateful for the love and dedication that you have selflessly provided to so many children in need. Together, we remain committed to our mission of safety, permanency, and well-being for all children served in partnership with families and the community. 

Wishing you all the best in 2023!
Tax time is upon us! Those who are eligible to request a child's Social Security number for tax filing purposes are foster parents and kinship/non-blood relatives. If there is a need for you to receive a child's Social Security number, please make this request with either the child's caseworker or your Foster Home Coordinator. The child must have been placed in your care/home for more than six months in 2022.

NOTE: You are encouraged to seek tax advice from a tax professional.
Join us for this virtual open house style event
for interested foster parents.

Who do you know who might be interested in foster care! Who do you know who has a big heart filled with love for kids? Who do you know who wants to make a difference in a child's life?

Current SCCS foster parents are encouraged invite others who want to learn more about foster care to our upcoming virtual Open House event. Guests will hear from a panel of foster parents who will share their personal stories and experiences. So they will hear firsthand what it's like being a foster parent. In addition, staff will explain in more detail about the process and share information about the support provided by the agency.

When:
Tuesday, February 14, 6 - 7 p.m.

Where:
via Zoom Meeting
(advance registration is required; Zoom instructions will be sent)

How to Register:
Online (link below) or call (330) 379-1990

Foster Parent Trainings
February | March | April 2023 Schedule
Below is the February-March-April 2023 foster parent ongoing training schedules. Register through CAPS LMS.

On the home page, under 'View Courses' search bar, type in either the course title or session ID#. Click on the course in order to register.

Online training hours continue to be available through the Foster Parent College. Please check with your coordinator about the number of hours you should take online. Contact Vickie Webb or Kim Gear to register for a Foster Parent College account if you don't already have one. 
 
The Ohio Child Welfare Training Program (OCWTP) is also offering additional online trainings. You can see more details on their website.

REMINDER TO FOSTER PARENTS: Please remember to bring your agency badge with you when you come to the agency. To enter the campus, swipe your badge at the reader panel to the left in front of the gate. To enter the Education Building, swipe your badge in front of the reader panel to the right of the doors. Campus visitors are restricted to those who are scheduled for training or business on campus.

The NEORTC is following all CDC-recommended safety guidelines and protocols (linked below). Please carefully review all guidelines prior to coming to the NEORTC
Foster Parent Training Conference

Join us May 4-5-6 for three days of ongoing training -
see schedule linked below. Please register through CAPS LMS.
We look forward to having you join us!
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to recognize the importance of families and communities working together to help prevent child abuse and neglect.

Summit County Children Services invites everyone to 'join the movement' and WEAR BLUE on Wednesday, April 12 and show your support to help STOP child abuse.
For more information about the various events and activities being held during Child Abuse Prevention Month, visit summitkids.org.
You're Simply the Best!
May is National Foster Care Month, a time for us to recognize and honor YOU ... our foster parents ... for the selfless love, care and support you provide to the children of this community. SCCS is planning a series of recognition activities throughout the month of May, so stay tuned!
Annual Foster Parent Recognition Dinner
This agency is looking forward to hosting this event in person! Save this date ... Friday, May 12, 6-9 p.m. at St. George Fellowship Center. Plan to join us for an evening of dinner, recognition and entertainment. Detailed information will be sent soon.
Foster Parent Directory
SCCS is looking to prepare a directory that includes photos of all active foster families. Photos may also be used for other events held in May to honor foster parents. Foster parents can send in photos to Lisa Stockwell at Lisa.stockwell@summitkids.org or mailed (or dropped off at the agency) to her attention. Please email photos as high resolution JPEG files. Deadline to submit photos is Friday, April 7. If you don’t want to have your photo on any materials for foster care month, please let us know by calling or emailing Lisa Stockwell at (330) 379-2020 or Lisa.stockwell@summitkids.org. 
2023 Adoption Calendars
For the new year, be sure to request your copy of the 2023 Adoption Calendar! It features six amazing children who are available to be adopted along with several family and staff highlights. CLICK HERE to have a copy mailed to you. Be sure to include your mailing address.
Who Should You Contact?
Foster Parent Association
The Foster Parent Association is on pause with regard to events and fundraisers. Anyone interested in joining the Facebook group can email us for
the Zoom link at info@summitcountyfpa.com.
Meet Some Incredible Kids!
Each is looking for a permanent family
Click on the photo to read or watch more.
Harleigh
Birthdate: August 2012
Juan
Birthdate: September 2006
Zy'aire
Birthdate: May 2006
Gionna
Birthdate: January 2008
Do You Enjoy Being a Foster Parent?
Then, we invite you to share your experiences with others!

We are looking for foster parents who are interested in helping with the agency's recruitment efforts by telling their personal story about becoming a foster parent. Why did you decide to do it? What was it like going through the process? What motivates you to continue? Each of your stories is unique and special and will resonate with others who are thinking about foster care.

Those who are interested can contact Sandy DeLuca in the
Community Relations Department at (330) 379-1994 or by email
at sandy.deluca@summitkids.org. We'd love to have you be
a part of the recruitment team!
FCA Information Meetings held via Zoom

Information Meetings are now held twice each month via Zoom Meeting
for those who are interested in learning more about foster care and adoption with SCCS. Staff will review the process, requirements and share
information about the types of children who enter agency custody.
The Sign Says It All!
This sign lets people know they can truly make a difference in children's lives by becoming a foster parent.
Is there any reason why you
can't help us share this message
with the community?
Email us your address and
we'll place a sign in your yard!
SCCS has new licensed foster homes! Welcome to ...
Tellehuh Thompson
Jessica Pawlak
Eric & Katelyn Speicher
Lisa Boring
Katherine Koski-Jones & John Seifert
Dean & Grace Mounts
Katharine Vess
Talon & Allison Treb
Clothing Resources
Below are two area churches that have recently opened Clothing Closets for families. For more information, please contact the church.
Their new Foster Care Closet serves to meet the immediate supplemental need of foster families. Occasionally toys, strollers and other items will also be available.

Grace Church Norton Campus
3970 Cleveland Massillon Road
Norton
Contact: (330) 414-0206
FB: @gracechurchfostercarecloset
The Clothing Crusade has a new permanent home at Hope Community Church! Clothing, bedding and home accessories available.

Hope Community Church
3033 Middleton Road
Hudson
Church: (330) 655-5170
FB: @clothingcrusade