COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio has launched a public awareness campaign to boost interest in foster care and adoption.
The announcement by Gov. Mike DeWine comes at a time nearly 16,000 children are in the custody of Ohio county children services agencies.
The website created by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has information for both current and prospective foster and adoptive families.
An advisory group including the family services agency, foster home caregivers, public and private foster care agencies, and the organizations that represent them, recommended the website and campaign.
The state's addictions epidemic has caused foster care needs to soar in recent years as children are removed from homes for extended period of times while parents and caregivers receive treatment.
