How to become a foster parent in Northeast Ohio to address the growing need

Sound of Ideas · Mar 25, 2026 · 51m

Foster parents needed in Cuyahoga, Summit Counties

There are more than 14,000 children currently in foster care across Ohio, down from a record high of 17,000 in 2020, according to the state Department of Children and Youth.

Foster care can play a critical role in supporting children and families during times of crisis, but the number of available foster parents has declined in recent years.

Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we're talking about what's driving that trend — including economic pressures like the ongoing affordability crisis — and what it takes to become a foster parent in…