County in need of additional foster homes
Auglaize County has the least amount of foster homes in the state, according to a recent state study. Julie Gossard, director of the county’s Jobs and Family Services office called that statistic “disconcerting” and wants the county to do better.
Gossard told the county commissioners at a monthly meeting on Tuesday the average number of foster homes for a county this size is 10; to date, Auglaize only has one foster home.
“I would be happy with five; I would be ecstatic with 10,” Gossard said.
She said her department has about 20 children in paid foster care placements through other agencies.
“Some of those placements could be in Auglaize County but they are probably outside of Auglaize County?” Commissioner Doug Spencer asked.
“Correct,” Gossard said.
She said they often look at “borrowing,” foster homes in neighboring counties, which can save administrative costs in using agencies but it does place children away from “home.”
She enlisted the help of Mindy Reynolds, who recruits as part of a five-county collaborative effort. Gossard also hired Jenny Foster, a recruiter, almost three months ago.
Foster is also a foster parent in a different county. She is working with JFS staff to encourage other county residents to consider fostering local children.
Marketing efforts include billboards located throughout Auglaize County as well as outreach to news media. Reynolds showed the commissioners pictures of billboards located throughout Auglaize County.
Another obstacle to recruitment
is the perception of red tape surrounding the application process. Gossard said she hasworked to streamline foster care paperwork, making it available online through a service called Binti. There are also incentives involved; Gossard said for individuals considering fostering family member, there are “kinship placement’ incentives.
Foster, who is nearing the end of her training period, will not only recruit potential foster parents but will also help to train those individuals.
The Marsh Foundation, a foster care placement agency, is moving into the Wapakoneta Chamber of Commerce building in March to serve the Auglaize County area. Gossard said they work together and doesn’t view the agency as a competitor.