Foster Care Agency Serving Families in Summit County, Ohio 

Foster care in Summit County provides children with safe, temporary homes during times when they cannot remain with their families. These situations may happen for many reasons, and children benefit from caregivers who can offer consistency, patience, and a stable home environment while plans for their future are explored. Caring for Kids, Inc. (CFK) is a licensed foster care agency serving Summit County, Ohio, and working with individuals and families throughout the county.


CFK works closely with foster parents by offering education, clear guidance, and ongoing services throughout the foster care process. Whether you live in Akron, Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Barberton, Hudson, or another Summit County community, CFK is here to help you understand foster care and next steps.

How Foster Care Works in Summit County 

Children may enter foster care in Summit County due to safety concerns, family challenges, or situations where caregivers need additional time and resources. Foster care is intended to be temporary and focused on meeting a child’s immediate needs while permanency options are considered.


Foster care involves collaboration among foster parents, families, and child welfare professionals. CFK helps place children in approved foster homes and ensures foster parents have access to training and resources that support children’s emotional, physical, and developmental needs.


Every foster care experience is different. Some placements may be short term, while others last longer. CFK approaches foster care with flexibility, compassion, and respect for everyone involved.

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A Foster Care Agency Serving Summit County Communities 

As a foster care agency serving Summit County, CFK provides local licensing support for residents throughout the county who are interested in becoming foster parents. CFK works with foster families across Summit County, including communities such as Akron, Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Barberton, and Hudson.


CFK caseworkers regularly work with foster families throughout Summit County and remain available during training, licensing, placement, and ongoing care. CFK also offers opportunities for families to learn more about foster care in a welcoming and informative setting.

Foster Care Services Available in Summit County 

CFK provides foster care services to individuals and families across Summit County. The goal is to ensure foster parents feel prepared before placement, informed during care, and guided through transitions.

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Foster parent licensing and certification support

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Required Ohio foster parent training

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Ongoing caseworker guidance and communication

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Assistance navigating placement changes

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Access to educational and community-based resources

Foster care services through CFK include:

Clear expectations and consistent communication help foster families succeed. CFK remains actively involved so foster parents feel confident and informed.

Our Waiting Families

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WAITING FAMILY

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WAITING FAMILY

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WAITING FAMILY

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Our Matched Families

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Chris & Alicia

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Nathan & Macey

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Rachel and Maddie

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Erik & Jenna

Considering Becoming a Foster Parent in Summit County 

Many people across Summit County consider foster care because they want to support children in their local communities but are unsure where to begin. Foster parents come from many backgrounds, and there is no single definition of what a foster family looks like.

To become a foster parent in Ohio, individuals generally must:

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Be at least 21 years old

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Have adequate space in their home

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Complete background checks and home safety requirements

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Participate in required foster parent training

CFK works closely with Steubenville families to explain requirements clearly and provide step-by-step guidance through the licensing process. No prior foster care experience is required.

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Process and Next Steps

The foster care process can feel overwhelming at first. CFK helps families in Steubenville understand what to expect and how to move forward with confidence.

Foster Care Process Overview

Step What This Involves
Initial Contact Speaking with CFK to learn about foster care and eligibility
Training Completing required Ohio pre-service foster parent training
Home Study Home safety review, interviews, and documentation
Licensing Approval to become a licensed foster parent
Placement Consideration for placement based on a child’s needs

Home Study and Licensing Guidance 

The home study helps ensure foster homes are safe, prepared, and able to meet children’s needs.

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Reviews home safety requirements

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Meets with foster parents to discuss expectations

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Collects required documentation

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Provides guidance to help families prepare

During the home study process, CFK:

The home study process is designed to be educational and supportive.

Training and Continued Services for Foster Parents 

Caring for Kids, Inc. provides pre service training and continued training after placement has occurred to help foster parents meet the needs of children in their care. CFK professionals assess training needs and recommend learning opportunities that best support foster families.

Pre-Service Training Topics

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The foster care system and process

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Separation and loss

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Managing behavioral challenges

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Cultural considerations

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Caring for children who have experienced sexual abuse

Certification Renewal

Foster care certifications must be renewed. CFK assists foster parents by sending recertification materials, conducting home safety audits, updating home studies, and verifying required training hours. Each foster parent receives a written plan outlining training requirements.

Foster to Adopt Options in Summit County 

Some families consider fostering with the hope of adoption if reunification is not possible. Foster to adopt may be an option depending on a child’s circumstances.


CFK provides clear and honest guidance so families understand how foster to adopt works in Ohio and the importance of supporting children throughout foster care. Adoption is never guaranteed.

  • Do foster parents need to live in Summit County to work with CFK?

     Foster parents must live in Ohio and within areas CFK serves. Families throughout Summit County are eligible.

  • Does CFK provide licensing support across Summit County?

     Yes. CFK provides foster parent licensing support for individuals and families throughout Summit County.

  • Does CFK work with families in multiple Summit County communities?

     CFK works with foster families across Summit County, including Akron, Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Barberton, and Hudson.

  • What training is required to become a foster parent in Ohio?

     Ohio requires pre service training before placement and ongoing training after certification. CFK provides this required training.

  • Is foster care meant to be temporary?

    Yes. Foster care is intended to be temporary while families work toward stability or permanency plans are explored.

Foster Care FAQs for Summit County, Ohio 

Communities Where CFK Supports Foster Families

Caring for Kids, Inc. works with foster families across multiple Ohio counties. Families living in the following communities may be eligible to work with CFK, depending on county requirements and current foster care needs:

Foster Care Serving Areas Throughout Ohio

Caring for Kids, Inc. is a licensed agency providing foster parent licensing, home studies, and support services across Ohio. We organize our local support by county to ensure every family has a caseworker familiar with their community resources.

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Taking the First Step Toward Foster Care 

If you are interested in learning more about foster care in Summit County or exploring whether becoming a foster parent is right for you, CFK is here to help.

Call CFK at 330-928-0044 to speak with our team about foster care services in Summit County, Ohio.

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