Guernsey County Children Services believes every child deserves a home. When a child
cannot remain with their birth family, adoption provides that permanent family. Through
our adoption services we create families by placing children in their forever homes. GCCS
adoption services are provided in conjunction with our foster program. Any family
wishing to adopt a child must first become a foster family. Through this system, we are
able to screen, train and support prospective adoptive parents and ultimately match
them with a child in need of a safe and nurturing home. Many of our foster families adopt
their charges, and other families become foster parents solely in anticipation of adopting
a child. Whichever path you take, adoption is a joyous way to create a permanent
parent/child relationship.

Specific Adoption Services:

In addition to the many resources you can access as a foster parent, there are
pre-placement and post-placement adoption services that can help you prepare
for your child and address the normal adjustment issues that arise after the child
is in your arms.
• For families who have adopted a child or children with special needs, we offer a
Post Adoptive Special Services Subsidy. In adoptive situations, special needs
can arise from a child’s preadoptive background or the medical history of the
birth family. Sometimes they are identified prior to adoption and the family is
prepared to address them. Other times, the adoption process itself may give
rise to unexpected issues. Regardless of the type of special needs or when they
manifest, GCCS provides subsidies to help address the child’s needs as well as
additional counseling, training, and support for the parents.
• If you are ready to provide a child with a forever home, please contact us today
about our foster/adoptive parent program.
• Please call 740-439-5555 for more information and to start the process.

You must be over age 21. You may be single/married/divorced, rent or own your
home or living space. You may have children already in your home.