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why it matters

  • 9,291 children received agency services from Summit County Children Services in 2024 – that is 1 out of 12 children in Summit County

  • There are over 800 kids in custody of Summit County Children Services, but only about 130 foster homes

  • 53.4 of children are placed outside of Summit County

  • 81% of the children in custody were reunified with the family.

take action

Start with curiosity and hear from Foster Families, Agencies, and local partners where you can ask questions and learn the steps by attending a Foster Care Interest Night.​​​

Attend the next Summit County Children Services Breakfast to learn more about Fostering.

Explore the different roles needed for foster care. Support can look different for everyone - find the right fit for you below. 

Kinship Care

When a child stays with a relative or trusted family friend. Already helping? Resources are available for YOU.

​Foster Care

​Offer a temporary, loving home to children in need.You’ll be trained, supported, and never alone.

Respite Care

Provide short-term care like one weekend a month to support foster families.Low time, big impact.

Adoption

Some children need a permanent home when reunification isn’t possible.A forever family starts with you.

prayer

Pray for children and families. Ask God to protect and heal families in greater Akron. Pray for parents that are struggling, that they would seek and find help. Pray for children in hard situations, that God would give them hope, permanency, and peace. Pray for the testimonies being written through really hard situations to draw families to God.

Grieve with God. Take time to be heartbroken over the state of families in greater Akron. Let God tell you where you fit into the puzzle and can help support families and children.

Pray for Children who have been removed from their homes and families. Pray that they would get to stay close to home, their community and familiar surroundings. Ask God to show them He is near when everything is scary. Pray that God would provide the right people to love and support them. Pray their trauma wouldn’t deepen during their time in care.

Praise God for reunifications. Through the brokenness of this world we praise God for the work He is doing in parents and relatives to bring their families back together. Pray for stronger bonds, and support when they need it.

scripture

Psalm 82:3

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” (NIV)

James 1:27

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (ESV)

Psalm 34:18

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (ESV)

common questions

Why are there only about 130 foster homes for over 800 kids in custody?

Foster home shortages are a nationwide issue. Barriers include the emotional demands of fostering, lack of awareness, and the time-consuming licensing process. Recruitment and retention are ongoing challenges for agencies.

What services or programs support the 81% reunification rate?

Services may include parenting classes, substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, supervised visitation, housing assistance, and case management. A high reunification rate suggests strong wraparound support.

What can the community do to support children in the system?

People can become foster or respite parents, donate supplies, mentor youth, volunteer, or support local child advocacy organizations. Simply being informed and advocating for supportive policies makes a difference.

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