Message from

Cassandra Holtzmann, Executive Director

Greetings!

May is National Foster Care Month, that special time of year that we recognize our dedicated foster families. Our foster parents are deeply committed daily to improving the lives of children and youth in foster care. This is a wonderful time of the year to honor these incredible people who selflessly care for children in our community. For that, and much more, we are truly grateful. 

Last year, SCCS served one out of every 12 children in Summit County. With over 850 children in our care and custody, we hope you will help us to raise awareness of our need for loving and safe families to care for the counties most vulnerable. Our kids deserve stability and together, we can show them that there is hope for their future. 

We continue to move toward our plan to have an issue on the ballot in November asking voters to approve a property tax renewal of our current levy. Renewing our levy, will NOT create an additional tax burden. Because it is a capped levy, new property valuations will not increase the cost to taxpayers for our levy. As always, I will keep you posted on our progress. 

On behalf of the agency and our Board of Trustees, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your dedication, partnership and for helping to give hope and healing to children and families.  

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.

Special THANK YOUs from Staff!

From the Foster Care Support Unit

Pictured (from left): Amy Peresta, Jenny Biggin, Lynne Brady, Beth Kinney, Lisa Stockwell, Sonya Cole, Chris Dibble and Brenda Brunson.

"Thank you for the loving care you provide to the kids of Summit County. Caregivers play the biggest role in helping to stabilize children and support healthy families. We could not provide safety for children without you!"

From the Kinship Foster Care Unit

Pictured (from left): Julie Kirven, Stephanie Hickle, Anna Pratt, Luann Auerbach, Melissa Vein and Jen Hall.

“We need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say it’s not my child, not my community, not my problem. Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.” – Fred Rogers Thank you for being heroes!

Foster Parents are the Best Recruiters!

Here are several ways you can help spread the word

Recruitment Roundtables

Come & Share Your Ideas!

Foster parents really do make the best recruiters, so we want to get your thoughts and ideas of what we can do together to recruit more families

as well as retain the families who are already licensed!

Join us for one of our 'Take a Leap into Foster Care' Foster Parent Recruitment Roundtables!

Staff will facilitate the conversation and record all your suggestions and recommendations so please come with lots of ideas to share!

And for attending, you’ll receive a $25 Target gift card!!

Tuesday, May 7, 6-8 p.m.

Arlington Church of God

539 S. Arlington Street, Akron

Thursday, May 9, 6-8 p.m.

Redemption Chapel

3900 Kent Road, Stow

A light meal will be served at each location. No child care is provided.

Note: You only need to attend one session.

Take a Leap into Foster Care

In-Person Open House - NEW

Do you know someone who is interested in doing what you do?

Bring them to this upcoming in-person event to learn, explore

and ask questions about foster care!

Take a Leap into Foster Care Open House

Wednesday, May 22, 5-6:30 p.m.

The Cummings Center, The University of Akron

73 S. College Street, Akron

Presented by the Ohio Department of Children & Youth, Summit County Children Services & The Cummings Center

Your guests can learn more about foster care and our urgent need for more families. They can explore the ideas of 'home' in the exhibit, Beyond the Picket Fence: The Places & Spaces We Call Home.

They can ask questions of current foster parents and staff

to get additional information.

Advance registration is not needed. Attendance includes free admission to the National Museum of Psychology. Light refreshments will be available. There is a fee for parking in marked lots.

Join Us at Canal Park!!

We invite you to help us recruit more foster families ... who do you know?

Who has asked you about foster parenting?

Who has lots of love to give to children?

Who could open their heart and home to children in need?

Foster Parent Mixer - NEW

Invite these families and join us in the Owner’s Suite

at the Akron RubberDucks!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10

CANAL PARK | GAME TIME: 7:05 PM

300 S. MAIN STREET, AKRON

Your invited guests will be able to talk with other foster families and hear about their experiences. Staff will be available to provide information about the process and answer questions. Everyone will enjoy games and prizes and watch the RubberDucks win! Food, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are provided. Adults only, please.

LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE RESERVATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS.

To register, use the link below or contact Sandy DeLuca at (330) 379-1994 or at sandy.deluca@summitkids.org.

Share Our 2024 Recruitment Calendar

Display a Yard Sign

Enjoy Being a Foster Parent?

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!

Bring Guests to FCA Information Meetings

SCCS hosts monthly virtual Information Meetings via Zoom Meeting

for anyone wanting to learn more about foster care and adoption.

Staff give an overview of the agency and review the requirements, process and support provided. Next steps are also shared.

SIGN UP TODAY!

Virtual Foster Care Open House

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, September 5, 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

Spring & Summer 2024

In-classroom trainings sessions continue to be offered at the Summit County Training Center/NEORTC. Virtual Instructor-Led sessions are also available for Summit County caregivers to attend.

Linked below are May through September 2024 foster parent ongoing training schedules. Please register through your CAPS LMS account.

The Ohio Child Welfare Training Program (OCWTP) is also offering additional trainings through CAPS LMS. You can see more details on their website: CAPS LMS.

Online self-directed 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 to register for a Foster Parent College account if you don't already have one. 

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.

NEW! Child Care Choice Program through the Ohio Department of Children and Youth 

In Ohio, the average cost of child care for a family with two children in child care is just over $22,600 [per year]. The cost of child care makes working families face the difficult decision of whether they should go to work or stay home with their children. Additionally, approximately 13% of Ohio's children under the age of 6 live in families where someone quit, changed, or refused a job because of problems with child care.

Ohio’s Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) program serves families earning up to 145% of the federal poverty level. In an effort to better support Ohio’s families, the Ohio Department of Children and Youth is launching the Child Care Choice Program which allocates $140 million to this new voucher program ($40 million in American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) supplemental discretionary funds and $100 million from Child Care Development Fund).

The Child Care Choice Program provides financial support to families working or going to school whose income is at 146-200% of the federal poverty level based on family size. The Child Care Choice voucher payments will assist with the cost of tuition for any child whose family meets the eligibility requirements of the Child Care Choice Program. 

More information will be emailed out to caregivers at a later date. You may also contact your local department of job and family services to get more information.

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 11, 12-5 p.m.

Summit CAN Festival

Columbia Woods Park, 4060 Columbia Woods Drive, Norton

Friday, May 17, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Akron RubberDucks Baseball Game

Canal park, 300 S. Main Street, Akron

Saturday, May 18, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Hartville Flea Market

1289 Edison Street, NW, Hartville

Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

National Missing Children's Day

Summit Mall, 3265 W. Market Street, Fairlawn

Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Senior Summit Expo

Firestone, CLC, 470 Castle Boulevard, Akron

Monday, May 27, 9 a.m. step-off

Cuyahoga Falls Memorial Day Parade

Friday, May 31, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Pediatric Primary Care Conference

Considine Auditorium, Akron Children's Hospital, 215 W. Bowery Street, Akron

Wednesday, June 5, 1:30-3 p.m.

Touch-A-Truck @ AMHA Van Buren

AMHA Van Buren, 410 Pasadena Place, Barberton

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

Kenmore First Friday

Kenmore Boulevard, Akron

Wednesday, June 12, 1:30-3 p.m.

Touch-A-Truck @ AMHA Joy Park

AMHA Joy Park, 524 Fuller Street, Akron

June 14-16, various times

Riverfront Irish American Festival

Riverfront Mall, downtown Cuyahoga Falls

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

Akron RubberDucks Baseball Game

Canal park, 300 S. Main Street, Akron

Saturday, June 22, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Hartville Flea Market

1289 Edison Street, NW, Hartville

Wednesday, June 26, 1:30-3 p.m.

Touch-A-Truck @ AMHA Valley View

AMHA Valley View, 943 Springdale Street, Akron

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

Metro Launch Party Vendor Fair

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

Friday, July 5, 6-9 p.m.

Kenmore First Friday

Kenmore Boulevard, Akron

Friday, July 5, 4-8 p.m. & Saturday, July 6, 12-4 p.m.

Despicable Me 4 Movie Opening

Lake 8 Movies, 588 W. Tuscarawas Avenue, Barberton

Wednesday, July 10, 1:30-3 p.m.

Touch-A-Truck @ AMHA Summit Lake

AMHA Summit Lake, 9 Plato Lane, Akron

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

Hartville Flea Market

1289 Edison Street, NW, Hartville

Wednesday, July 17, 1:30-3 p.m.

Touch-A-Truck @ AMHA Honey Locust

AMHA Honey Locust, 3299 Prange Drive, Cuyahoga Falls

Friday, July 19, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Akron RubberDucks Baseball Game

Canal Park, 300 S. Main Street, Akron

Saturday, July 20, 3-8:30 p.m.

Elevate Akron Yoga Festival

Coleman Commons, The University of Akron Campus

Wednesday, July 24, 1:30-3 p.m.

Touch-A-Truck @ AMHA Pinewood Gardens

AMHA Pinewod Gardens, 8788 Ray Court, Twinsburg

July 23-28, various hours

Summit County Fair

Summit County Fairgrounds, 229 E. Howe Road, Tallmadge

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

Kenmore First Friday

Kenmore Boulevard, Akron

Karl & Terri Ward

Lauren Pittak & Christopher Shumski

Ashley Davenport

Ann Aed-Cutshaver & Ryan Cutshaver

Denise Ferguson & Ray Cromwell

Meggan Fallon

Sharrieff & Megan Karim

Jack & Laura Fortner-Monegan

Amy Darkow & Stephen Buckus

Donna Linder & David Holland

Michael & Jessica Garrini

Nicole & Jesse Sweigart