How to become a foster parent in Northeast Ohio to address the growing need

Foster parents needed in Cuyahoga, Summit Counties There are more than 14,000 children currently in foster care across Ohio, down from a record high of 17,000 in 2020, according to the state Department of Children and Youth. Foster care can play a critical role in supporting children and families during times of crisis, but the number of available foster parents has declined in recent years. Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we're talking about what's driving that trend — including economic pressures like the ongoing affordability crisis — and what it takes to become a foster parent in Cuyahoga and Summit counties. We'll also hear about existing support systems for foster families and the impact they can have on children in need. Guests:- Karin Austin, Social Program Administrator, Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services- Traci Foley, Director, Placement Services Department, Summit County Children Services- Kathleen Paydo, Foster Parent, Summit County- Kathy DiVincenzo, Executive Director & Founder, Honey from the Rock (Cleveland Foster Care Closet) Cleveland Humanities Festival: FREEDOM to Play Recreation and play are essential to children’s health and development, but not all communities have equal access to safe, well-resourced spaces. As part of the 2026 Cleveland Humanities Festival, an upcoming panel conversation titled “FREEDOM to Play” will examine how these disparities, along with the over-policing of Black and brown youth, shape childhood experiences. The discussion will also explore how recreational freedom influences children’s mental and emotional health and their overall sense of self. This year’s festival is co-sponsored by the Schubert Center for Child Studies and the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities. Guest:- Harrison Pinckney IV, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Recreation, Parks and Tourism Management, Penn State University