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YSN Services Page
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There are times that a child may come into care from a very unstable family
situation. The county agency will work to stabilize the family. YSN
will maintain the youth in foster care until the county agency determines the
suitability of reunification. Should the county agency file for permanent custody
of the child, YSN will then work with the county agency to secure an adoptive
home for that child. If the foster family is interested in adopting the
child, they are given preferred consideration during matching. If the YSN
family is chosen by the county agency, the child is then placed in YSN's Foster-to-Adopt program. The
foster home is then prepared to meet the requirements of an adoptive home.
YSN as a Foster Care Agency
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YSN functions as a coordinating agent between the county holding
custody, the foster parents and the community resources for the youth
entrusted to our foster care network. YSN's service delivery to the
county holding custody of an individual child means that YSN coordinates all
case management services while the child is in the YSN foster care network.
As an example, YSN will review the youth's file with the county worker, then
meet with the foster family and the youth involved to determine appropriate
programming for educational, medical, dental and counseling needs. YSN
will coordinate with the community service providers and the foster parent
those services that may be needed to assure the successful adjustment within
the foster family. This then becomes the child's Youth Services
Network Treatment Plan. YSN then meets with the county worker to
review the YSN Treatment Plan, securing approval before any further actions
are taken.
The Treatment Plan guides the foster family and the YSN Social Worker,
providing measurable goals for the child in care. Full involvement of
all parties is essential for the successful development and implementation
of the Treatment Plan.
Therefore, it is essential to the success of each case that the
communications between YSN, the foster family, the county worker and when
appropriate, the biological family, be
active and comprehensive. YSN social workers encourage direct contacts
from the county worker on any and all questions about case issues, foster
family matters, newly introduced case developments, potential biological
family visits or cancellations of visits, new case directive, etc.
However, as YSN is the coordinating agent, it is YSN's responsibility
to take this information and work with the foster parent(s) and the county
in a timely and responsive manner.
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YSN as an Adoptive Agency
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YSN works with county children's service agencies across Ohio in
matching adoptive children with families. This occurs most often through our
Foster to Adopt program. YSN also provides adoptive homestudies and
adoption supervision for interstate and private adoptions.
There are over 3,000 children ranging in age from toddlers to teenagers
in Ohio who are waiting for adoption. Some of the children are
classified as having a "special need." For example, some are over 2
years old or some are members of a racial minority. Some adoptable
children may be part of a sibling group, wanting to be adopted together, or
some adoptable youth have emotional, medical or developmental problems.
Others may have a physical or mental disability. While adoptions in
Ohio are confidential, YSN will share all the information they receive from
the county holding custody on the child, with the potential adopting
parents. The amount of information received on each child varies from
child to child. The confidentiality of the birth parents, however, is
often protected.
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YOUTH SERVICES
NETWORK