May is National Foster Care Month!

Message from

Cassandra Holtzmann, Executive Director

Greetings!

May is National Foster Care Month, a time to acknowledge foster parents who help children and youth in foster care find permanent solutions and connections. We celebrate our foster parents who are making a difference in the lives of so many children, helping them to heal and thrive. Foster care is one of the most important services that we can provide a child. As a critical part of our team, we value and respect you.

This month provides us an opportunity to share with our community and beyond, the urgent need for foster families. With over 860 children in custody, we appreciate our committed foster parents who help change young people's lives by fostering. Last year, our agency provided services to 1 out of every 12 children in Summit County.

On behalf of the Summit County Children Services and the Board of Trustees, I thank you for our partnership and making a difference in the lives of children.

Thank You, Foster Parents!

There is no greater job than that of a parent ... including that of a foster parent. Loving and caring for a child who has been placed in your home is what we ask of you each and every day. Providing for their needs and advocating for their mental health, education and medical care is what we expect of you each and every day. There are challenging and difficult times that test your patience, sometimes every day.

But you do this time and time again ... without question and without hesitation. Why? Your reasons may vary, but you all have one commonality ... you all love these children. Through your love, you inspire and awaken their hearts.

SCCS is grateful for your willingness to open your hearts and homes to children in need. We are thankful for your commitment to the safety, permanency and well-being of children, and working in partnership with each other, with families and the community.

Foster Family Fun Night!

Summit County Children Services is excited to host this special first-time event to celebrate our foster families!

Thursday, May 18, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Fun-n-Stuff

661 Highland Road, East, Macedonia

Join us for an evening filled with tons of fun for children (and adults)

of all ages! And, each child will receive a food voucher that can be

redeemed at the Concession Stand.

Indoor Activities

Laser tag, Crazy Cars, Cannon Ball Blaster, Kids' play area, bowling,

arcade games, roller skating and much more!

NOTE: Rock Climbing Wall is not available.

Outdoor Activities

Go-Karts, Mini-Golf, Bumper Boats, Looping Bikes, and much more!

NOTE: Outdoor activities are weather dependent.

Advance registration is required.

Deadline to register is Friday, May 12.

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 to 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:

Thursday, May 11, 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

May through August 2023

In-classroom trainings continue. Linked below is the May through August 2022 foster parent ongoing training schedule. Please register through your CAPS LMS account.

NOTE: There are no scheduled trainings in July.

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 Cindy Wallis 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.

May - August 2023 Ongoing In-Person Trainings

May - August 2023 Ongoing Virtual Trainings

Who Should You Contact?

Who to Contact

Waiting Child Profile

Larry

Born: November 2011

Larry is an inquisitive child who loves all sports, but especially football and basketball. Larry loves playing outside and riding his bike. Larry is very inquisitive and is a strong reader. He is in 4^th grade where he receives extra support in school. Larry is very strong willed and determined, and at times has difficulty getting along with others. Larry needs a structured environment and a family that is very patient and committed to him. Larry will benefit from ongoing counseling so he can continue to address his past trauma. To learn more about Larry, contact his caseworker Alaina Ondash at (330) 996-1794 or by email at Alaina.Ondash@summitkids.org.

Program offers Ohio Students $1,000

for Camps & Enrichment Activities

More students now qualify to receive $1,000 for before- and after-school education activities. The Ohio Department of Education announced changes to the Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) education savings account program. Now qualifying families can receive a $1,000 credit per child for enrichment and educational activities during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years. Allowable activities include before- or after-school education programs, day camps, music lessons, tutoring, and more.

Expanded eligibility includes children ages 6-18 whose family income is at or less than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, who participate in income-based programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, and Ohio Works First, or who reside in districts identified as experiencing high rates of chronic absenteeism or include EdChoice-eligible schools.

Administered by the Ohio Department of Education and Merit Internationa, Inc., the ACE program provides access to education activities to students who experienced learning disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more about ACE and how to apply, click the link below for a digital flyer. To apply or browse the ACE Marketplace for service providers, visit aceohio.org.

ACE Digital Flyer

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.

Foster care and adoption recruitment is back in action! Summit County

Children Services will participate in these upcoming community events and activities. Be sure to stop by our booth and say 'hello!'

Saturday, May 13, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Hartville Flea Market

1289 Edison Street, NW, Hartville

Saturday, May 20, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

National Missing Children's Day

Summit Mall, 3265 W. Market Street, Fairlawn

Friday, June 2, 6-9 p.m.

Kenmore First Friday

Kenmore Boulevard, Akron

Saturday, June 3, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Hartville Flea Market

1289 Edison Street, NW, Hartville

Sunday, June 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Metro Launch Party Vendor Fair

Metro Regional Transit Center, 631 S. Broadway Street, Akron

Saturday, June 17, 1-7 p.m.

Juneteenth Festival

Hawkins Park, 800 N. Hawkins Avenue, Akron

Friday, June 23, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Akron RubberDucks Baseball Game

Canal Park, 300 S. Main Street, Akron

Saturday, June 24, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Hartville Flea Market

1289 Edison Street, NW, Hartville

Friday, July 7, 6-9 p.m.

Kenmore First Friday

Kenmore Boulevard, Akron

Friday, July 21, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Akron RubberDucks Baseball Game

Canal Park, 300 S. Main Street, Akron

Saturday, July 22, 1-4 p.m.

2nd Annual Community Block Party

St. John the Baptist Recovery Outreach Center

1034 Brown Street, Akron

Saturday, July 22, 12-10pm & Sunday, July 23, 12-8pm

African American Cultural Festival

Lock 3, downtown Akron

July 25-30, various hours

Summit County Fair

Summit County Fairgrounds, 229 E. Howe Road, Tallmadge

Friday, August 4, 6-9 p.m.

Kenmore First Friday

Kenmore Boulevard, Akron

Upcoming FCA Information Meetings

Information Meetings continue to be held 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.

Invite those you know who want to do what you do ...

be a foster parent to children in need!

List of Upcoming Meetings

SCCS has new licensed foster homes! Welcome to ...

Jeffrey & Ruth Hudson

Rebecca McDaniel

Jordan & Kristin Calhoun

Amanda Miller

Christopher & Ashley Wesman

Courtney Vitullo & Tyler Tully

Timotei & Adelina Popescu

James & Laura York

Amy Adams

Kyle & Kristen Brett