Living Into Our Name

The word “Encourage” means “to give support, confidence and hope.” We feel this name beautifully illustrates why we do what we do as we seek to encourage each foster parent and child by helping them realize that they are a unique creation who carries immeasurable worth to our Creator. We are intentional with the message of providing encouragement so that every foster parent and youth is successful in the purpose to which God is calling them and we take the time to help our foster parents determine the characteristics of kids that will best fit in their homes.

With strong leadership in trauma-informed care and a diverse clinical team, Encourage is well positioned to care for the complex needs of youth in foster care.

Why Choose Encourage

Encourage Foster Care recruits, trains and licenses foster parents. We are a small, private, faith-based foster care agency. Our services and support extend throughout 12+ counties in Northeast & Central Ohio.

Foster parents with Encourage have 3 fostering options including respite, family foster care and treatment foster care.

Respite - Licensed foster families who give other foster families a break by caring for their foster children for one day up to two weeks.

Family Foster Care - Licensed foster families who are only licensed/trained for children with a ‘typical’ level of medical, emotional or behavioral needs.

Treatment Foster Care - Licensed foster families who are trained to foster children with higher levels of needs including medical, emotional, and/or behavioral challenges. This could range from asthma, diabetes, or ADHD to more challenging medical and behavioral needs such as cerebral palsy, pre-natal exposure to drugs or alcohol, or behaviors related to prior trauma.

Regardless of what type of foster family you are, you have access to all of our wraparound services. Our goal is to equip foster parents with the physical, emotional and logistical help needed to come alongside hurting kids. At Encourage, we work as a team and with community partners to provide wrap-around care for children and families. This added layer of support helps make lasting change for the whole family.

Encourage is a part of a trio of ministries with Encompass Christian Counseling and Christian Children's Home of Ohio. Our nonprofit organization has been addressing the social and emotional needs of children and families for more than 50 years.

What sets Encourage apart?

Our Mission

We aim to connect and retain families who have the heart to foster by providing them with trauma-based training, licensing, resources, and the utmost support. Through faith, hope and prayers, together we can make lasting impacts in the lives of children from hard places.