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By Sheila Ferguson
Currently, more than 2000 children are in the custody of the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) through no fault of their own (cuyahogacounty.us).
According to their website, “DCFS works to assure children at risk of abuse and neglect are protected and nurtured within a family and with the support of the community… Safety, permanency, and well-being are the goals for every child and family we encounter.”
The employees investigate allegations, assess child safety and risk contributors, and help stabilize families weakened through poverty, illness, or crisis. DCFS also provides safe and appropriate placement for children in County custody and helps achieve permanency through reunification, legal custody, or adoption. (Division of Children & Family Services Home (cuyahogacounty.us)
Why Children Go Into Out-of-Home Care
The following problems are at the top of the list of why children go into out-of-home care:
- Neglect – a child going without basic needs being met; leaving a child alone for extended periods; not feeding, or giving proper care, nurturing, medical or educational support.
- Abuse – living in a toxic home that puts a child at risk physically and mentally
- Drug addiction
- Incarceration
- Death
(Reasons Children Come to Foster Care | Foster Care and Adoption in Ohio)
What Parents Need to Know
The points listed below are related to the health and safety of caring for children. All of us should lend a hand to young parents by helping out and sharing our knowledge about some of the best ways to care for children. Remember that raising children does not come with an operator’s manual, it’s a “learn as you go” situation. At the same time, none of us know when tragedy will strike, and DCFS may need to provide your family with emergency services.
- Get prenatal care if you are pregnant.
- Avoid using drugs during pregnancy because it is harmful and can be found in your and your baby’s bloodstream.
- Have regular feeding and meal times.
- Dress your children in season-appropriate clothing.
- Do not leave your children under thirteen at home alone or without adult supervision.
- Avoid having untrained teenagers or young adults who feel resentful about babysitting watch your child.
- Do not use alcohol and drugs in the presence of your children.
- Avoid fighting or arguing with your spouse or other adults in the presence of your children, exposing them to violence and harm.
- Complete all “well child” doctor visits and immunizations on schedule to prevent medical neglect.
- If your child has any illnesses, staying on top of all scheduled doctor visits is increasingly important so that you are not cited for medical neglect.
- Have beds for all children in your home so they can sleep safely and comfortably and get the rest they need to grow.
- Promote safe sleep for babies. Avoid using bumper pads and heavy blankets, and placing your baby on the stomach. Also, do not feed your baby by leaving them alone and propping up a bottle in their mouth.
- Store all guns and firearms in a safe or have gun locks to prevent accidental death and injury.
- Never make an older child babysit so you can go to work. You could be charged with educational neglect.
- Do not verbally abuse or curse at your child/children as it is emotionally harmful.
- Never beat, slap, punch or kick at your children. Choose forms of discipline that educate and inform.
- Prepare a “Last Will” that details how and who you want to care for your child/children should you die.
- Have family and friends who can pass a drug test, home inspection, and criminal background check should you become ill, incarcerated, or die. Having such people in your friends and family network could prevent your children from entering the system and becoming adopted by strangers rather than family.
The “Do’s” of Turning Things Around
If you are having difficulties with parenting and the care, feeding, and disciplining of your children, please reach out for help! Having limitations does not make you a bad parent; you just need some help. Foremost, making strides for parenting self-improvement can prevent you from coming in contact with the system. In Cuyahoga County, help is just a phone call away. The Community Based Services Program operating across 13 metropolitan Cleveland locations can assist you in finding solutions to your parenting support needs. They provide parenting education, housing location, rental and utility assistance, and linkages to employment, education and training, childcare, food pantries, and child and family leisure and recreational supports.
Your Local Community-Based Services Programs
Finally, please reach out to any of these conveniently located programs. Any one of them can help you strengthen your family’s health and future!
Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing & Friendly Inn Collab – 6001 Woodland Ave, Suite 2720, Cleveland, Ohio 44104 P: 216-361-2367 ext. 114.
Fatima Family Center – 6600 Lexington Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44103 (216) 361-1244
East End Neighborhood House – 2749 Woodhill Road, Cleveland, OH 44104 (216)791-9378
Harvard Community Services Center –18240 Harvard Avenue, Cleveland OH (216) 991-8585
Lakewood Community Collaborative – 12900 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107 (216) 529-6868
Murtis H. Taylor Multi-Services Center – (Kinsman, Garfield, and East Cleveland) Main Center location and telephone – 13411 Union Ave, Cleveland · (216) 283-4400
St. Martin De Porres Family Center – 1264 E 123rd St Cleveland, OH 44108 (216) 268-3909
The Centers, Heights Community Collab –1941 S. Taylor Road, Cleveland Heights OH 44118 (216) 325-9132
University Settlement – 4800 Broadway Ave, Cleveland, OH 44127 (216) 641-8948
Parma Area Family Collaborative – 11212 Snow Rd, Parma, OH 44130 (440) 887-4873
Westside Community House – 9300 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102 (216) 771-7297
