Clark County seeking diversity in terms of foster parents

Officials: Positive aspects of foster care outweigh the negatives
Cases of foster children being abused garner negative attention, but aren't the norm, county officials say
Outten, Bridgette. Springfield News Sun, May 4, 2008.

SPRINGFIELD — The instances of foster parenting gone wrong are heavily outweighed by those that go right, said Clark County Department of Job and Family Services officials.

Cases like the Ferguson couple, accused of abusing their five adopted children, and Marcus Fiesel, a toddler murdered by his foster parents, garner negative attention, but are not the norm, the officials say.

"For every one negative, there are thousands of positives," said Wendy Holt, DJFS supervisor of placement services.

Since the Fiesel case in 2006, state legislators have been exploring stricter legislation for foster parents.

The current process is not one to be taken lightly. Foster parents have an application process that includes an extensive checklist. They must provide financial statements and complete 36 hours — soon to be 39 hours — of training every two years.

However, DJFS staff don't feel that the requirements should be a deterrent to potential foster parents.

"Most foster parents feel like it is a genuine calling," said DJFS deputy director Cathy Appel. "Most parents genuinely have an interest."

DJFS wants to spark interest in the community to produce more foster parents, particularly minorities that are disproportionately represented in foster care, officials said.

For instance, blacks make up 12 percent of Ohio's population, but 55 percent of foster children are black. It's a trend officials say is mirrored in Clark County.

"We need a diverse representation of our community," Appel said.

Holt agreed, adding, "We want many more everyday people to come forward for our county's most vulnerable children, so they may realize their full potential," she said.