Message from Julie Barnes, Executive Director

Happy Fall ~
 
Wishing you a harvest of happy times for you and your family! 
 
November is National Adoption Month and is celebrated locally by Summit County Children Services (SCCS) with the theme: "Conversations Matter."  There is a strong need to create awareness and bring attention to the need for permanent families for children and youth on a national, state and local level.  With over 800 children in agency custody and more than 200 children in permanent custody with most of the children over the age of 12, conversations about permanency and action is vital to the future success of our youth.   

Every child deserves a safe and permanent family. At SCCS, we continue to work hard with those youth who are without a family to secure lifelong and lasting connections, both legally and emotionally. We ask those in the community interested in foster care and adoption to 'Be the Reason' for lasting impact and permanency for a child.

Once again, I thank you for the continued commitment to our mission of safety, permanency and well-being for children and families.   
There are fewer things more important than ensuring that every child is a part of a loving, nurturing, safe, forever family. Adoption is not just an important thing, but THE important thing. While the goal is always for a child to be parented by and stay with their biological family, that is not always a possibility. This is where adoption shines. Not only does adoption create families, it gives birth parents an avenue through which to see their child flourish when they are not able to parent.

According to PBS, 135,000 children are adopted annually in the U.S., and SCCS anticipates finalizing more than 70 adoptions by year-end. There are countless children in the foster care system awaiting adoption across the country; there are more than 200 children in the permanent custody of SCCS. Many of them will age out of the system, having moved from home to home for their most of their childhood. This is why adoption is incredibly important to create families!

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about foster care and adoption with SCCS, please visit summitkids.org.
Meet Gaven & J'Vonte
Gaven
Birthdate: July 2013

Gaven is a sweet energetic boy. He is smart and very engaging. He has a wonderful sense of humor and a smile that will light up a room. Gaven loves video games and enjoys playing cards. He also likes everything Beyblades and Pokémon. His favorite foods are pizza and popcorn shrimp and he loves all animals except snakes.
 
Gaven does have contact with siblings, which he would like to maintain. It is also important that Gaven continue with therapeutic services that address his past trauma and behaviors. Gaven is need of a home that can provide structure, guidance, and unconditional love. 
J'Vonte
Birthdate: June 2004

J'vonte is very quiet and shy. He takes a while to warm up to people, but once he is feeling comfortable, he can be very talkative and outgoing. He loves music and watching YouTube videos, and aspires to be a YouTuber himself one day. J'vonte likes taking walks at the park and other outdoor activities. He enjoys playing sports including basketball and swimming.

J'vonte is now in his senior year in high school and looking forward to emancipation. He is a funny, reserved teen with a lot of artistic ability. He is hoping to find a family that will assist him in reaching his full potential. It is important to him that he can remain connected to his birth mother.
Foster Parent Trainings
November-December 2021 | January-February 2022
The NEORTC has updated its COVID protocol, and everyone is required to wear face coverings at all times when in the Education Center and in the classroom
– regardless of vaccination status.

In-classroom trainings have resumed. Below is the November-December 2021 and January-February 2022 schedule. Please register through E-Track.

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 Julie Hayden 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.
PLAN TO JOIN US!
In lieu of gathering in-person and to help keep everyone healthy and safe, SCCS is hosting the 'Winter Wonderland' Drive-Thru event again this year
for foster and kinship families on Friday, December 3 at the agency.

FAMILIES MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE TO ATTEND!
Latest deadline to register is Sunday, November 14.
Who Should You Contact?
Foster Parent Association
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foster Parent Association is essentially 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.
The Sign Says it All!
You can show your support by displaying a 'Be the Reason' yard sign on your front lawn! Show your neighborhood and community how they too 'can be the reason children are safe.'
FCA Information Meetings held via Zoom

Information Meetings are held 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.
SCCS has new licensed foster homes! Welcome to ...
William & Christie Rodgers
David & Erin Oravec, Jr.
Shamsur Chowdhury & Neete Saha
Isaiah and Brandy Tucker
Leandre and Brittany Wiley