Welcome to Pathway Caring for Children in Stark County, Ohio

At Pathway Caring for Children, we are dedicated to strengthening the lives of children and families in Stark County through our three main services: Foster Care, Mental Health Services for children, families, and individuals, and Post-Adoption and Kinship Services. Our mission is to help children and families realize the possibilities of their lives through foster care, adoption, and mental health.

Foster Care in Stark County

Foster care is a vital service that provides a safe and nurturing environment for children who are unable to live with their biological families. As a foster parent with Pathway Caring for Children, you can help change a child’s life by offering stability, love, and support during their time of need. Our comprehensive foster care program includes:

• Requirements and Qualifications: The state of Ohio has specific requirements and qualifications that potential foster parents must meet. These include ensuring a safe and stable home environment, completing pre-service training, and passing necessary background checks.
• Pre-Service Training: We provide thorough pre-service training to equip foster parents with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide for the unique needs of foster children. This training covers topics such as trauma-informed care, behavior management, and understanding the foster care system.
• Support Services: We understand that being a foster parent can be both rewarding and challenging. That’s why we offer comprehensive support services to our foster families, including access to 24/7 support from case managers, counseling services, respite care, and ongoing training opportunities.

Youth and Family Mental Health Services in Stark County

We recognize that mental health plays a crucial role in the overall well-being of children and families. Our youth and family mental health services aim to provide hope, healing, and support to children and families facing mental health challenges in Stark County. Here are some of the services we offer:

• Individual in-person and telehealth counseling sessions with a trauma-informed therapist. Our professional team uses specialized approaches to promote open communication and personal growth. We can assist children and families with a wide range of challenges to help develop healthy coping skills through confidential counseling services.
• School-Based Services: We partner with schools in Stark County to provide on-site counseling services, ensuring that students have access to the emotional support they need to thrive academically and personally.
• Family Empowerment: Our family empowerment program offers individual and family counseling sessions, designed to enhance positive family relationships and improve overall communication and well-being.
• Transitional Age Services: We provide specialized mental health services for teens and young adults transitioning to adulthood and independence. Our goal is to equip them with the necessary skills and support to navigate this critical phase of their lives successfully.
• Early Childhood Mental Health: We offer early intervention services to promote healthy social-emotional development in young children in Stark County, addressing any potential mental health concerns through a trauma-informed and age-appropriate approach.

Post-Adoption and Kinship Support in Stark County

Kinship care refers to the full-time care of children by relatives or close family friends when their biological parents are unable to provide care. We understand the unique challenges faced by adoptive and kinship caregivers in Stark County, and our kinship care services aim to support and empower these families. Here’s how we can assist you:

Adoptive families experience unique challenges, including loss, identity problems, and control issues. Kinship care refers to the full-time care of children by relatives or close family friends when their biological parents are unable to provide care. Our holistic approach involves looking at the whole child and the whole family. We help adoptive and kinship parents become trauma-competent, healing caregivers who take an active role in helping their children – and their families – heal. We understand the unique challenges faced by adoptive and kinship caregivers in Stark County, and our services aim to support and empower these families. Here’s how we can assist you:

• Support from Pathway: We offer various support services to adoptive and kinship caregivers, including case management, counseling services, and access to community resources. Our goal is to ensure that you have the support and resources needed to provide a stable and loving home environment for the children in your care.
• Family Empowerment: Through our family empowerment program, we provide counseling and educational resources to help adoptive and kinship families navigate the complexities of kinship care in Stark County and build strong, nurturing relationships.

At Pathway Caring for Children, our services are rooted in compassion, expertise, and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of children and families in Stark County. We invite you to explore our website for more information on our programs and services. If you are in Stark County and ready to make a positive impact, contact us today to learn more about how you can get involved with Pathway Caring for Children.