Events & Trainings
Have you felt God may be calling you to foster?
There is a great need for families to say YES to open their homes to children in need. If you are looking to foster or foster to adopt, then Encourage Foster Care is a wonderful fit for you.
Foster Parent Pre-Service prepares foster parents with the tools and resources they need to open their hearts and homes to foster children.
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This 24-hour interactive training includes group discussion, activities, lectures and Q&A's. The course covers a variety of topics including state-mandated training, TBRI, trauma & childhood development, sensitivity training & expectations, CPR, and understanding of the child welfare/foster care system.
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You will meet with Encourage staff, pray together and connect with other foster parents. You will complete your pre-service feeling supported and equipped to begin your foster care journey with us. Below are current pre-service courses throughout Northeast & Central Ohio.
May 2026 Foster Parent Pre-Service
Dates:
Saturday, May 30 • 9am-3pm & Sunday, May 31 • 1-7pm
Saturday, June 6 • 9am-3pm & Sunday, June 7 • 1-7pm
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Location:
NewPointe Community Church Offices
1300 Clark Street, Suite 4
Cambridge, Ohio 43725
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July 2026 Foster Parent Pre-Service
In-Person Training Dates:
Saturday, July 18 • 9:00am-5:00pm
Sunday, July 19 • 1:00pm-7:00pm
Virtual Training Dates:
Thursday, July 23 • 6:00pm-9:30pm
Saturday, July 25 • 9:00am-3:30pm
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In-Person Training Location:
Compass North Church Kent Campus
1972 E Summit St. • Kent, OH 44240
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August 2026 Licking County Foster Parent Pre-Service
In-Person Training Dates:
Saturday, August 15 • 9:00am-5:00pm
Sunday, August 16 • 1:00pm-7:00pm
Virtual Training Dates:
Thursday, August 20 • 6:00pm-9:30pm
Saturday, August 22 • 9:00am-3:30pm
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In-Person Training Location:
Heath Church of Christ
1331 Chapel Way • Heath, OH 43056
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October 2026 Stark County Foster Parent Pre-Service
Dates:
Saturday, Oct. 10 • 9am-3pm & Sunday, Oct. 11 • 1-7pm
Saturday, Oct 17 • 9am-3pm & Sunday, Oct 18• 1-7pm
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Location:
Encourage Foster Care
7317 Portage Street Northwest
Massillon, OH 44646
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November 2026 Holmes County Foster Parent Pre-Service
Dates:
Saturday, Nov. 7 • 9am-3pm & Sunday, Nov. 8 • 1-7pm
Saturday, Nov. 14 • 9am-3pm & Sunday, Nov. 15• 1-7pm
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Location:
Grace Church Millersburg
1667 S Washington St
Millersburg, OH 44654
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Encourage also offers FREE online Resource Readiness Classes for all foster parents. With the completion of these trainings, foster parents will receive credit toward the ongoing training hours for their foster care license. If you have any questions about ongoing foster parent trainings, please contact Maria Reina, Intake Specialist & Trainer, at 330.466.2926 or reinam@encouragefostercare.org.
Would you like to learn more or have questions? Contact Heather Huebner, Director of Operations & Recruitment at 330.462.1118 or huebnerh@encouragefostercare.org.
