Tri-county treatment foster homes program kicks off

Last Friday, Sandusky, Seneca and Wyandot Job and Family Services offices together announced the launch of their new Tiered Treatment Foster Homes program, which will provide out-of-home care for youth in or near their communities in a more specialized setting. The program is a collaborative effort with the Mental Health and Recovery Service Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wyandot counties, and will be led by Jenni Zaika, Treatment Foster Care Program Lead. Treatment foster homes differ from typical foster homes, as treatment families require additional training to work with youth with significant and unique needs. Zaika plans to work with Seneca County's 12 licensed foster homes to determine their interest in upgrading to therapeutic homes, as well as recruiting new treatment homes, a release from JFS states. As of now, 30 foster children are in the custody of Seneca County — 19 of which have been placed outside of the county due to having a higher level of need, the release states. The Tiered Treatment program could allow for those children to receive local therapeutic care instead of being placed elsewhere. Sandusky, Seneca and Wyandot are the first counties to embark on a collaborative foster care effort of this nature in Ohio, but officials from each county's Department of Job and Family Services are working on policies to develop a tiered treatment foster care program statewide. Sandusky County Director Melanie Allen, Wyandot County Supervisor Megan Rowe and Seneca County Director Kathy Oliver are spearheading the project. "Some of these children would thrive in a therapeutic foster home," Oliver said. "We are seeking caregivers with the dedication and skill set needed to give these kids that opportunity." The department is currently recruiting, and plans to host informational events about participating in foster care programs in the future. For more information on treatment foster care or becoming licensed, contact Zaika at Jenni.Zaika2@jfs.ohio.gov.