Stark County foster parents receive statewide Family of the Year award
CANTON − Stark County foster parents Aaron and Julie Johnson received the 2023 Family of the Year award Wednesday from the Public Children Services Association of Ohio during its annual conference in Columbus.
The Johnsons, who live in Osnaburg Township, have been a licensed foster care family with Stark County Children Services since April 2020.
The award “recognizes families who are making a difference in the lives of children involved in the child protection system," the association said. "They may be foster or adoptive families, kinship caregivers, or primary or biological families who have dedicated their lives, opened their homes, and overcome challenges to ensure safety and permanence for children.”
The Johnsons accepted more challenging placements, such as large sibling groups and older youth, and were available all hours of the day, the county said. Last year, the Johnsons fostered a sibling group of three children that eventually led to permanent placement through adoption.
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The Johnsons also accepted 19 emergency and respite care placements over the year, providing care until a family member or permanent placement could become available.
“In the short amount of time that Aaron and Julie Johnson have been caregivers with our agency, they have made a significant impact on the lives of so many children,” Tricia Mayle, deputy director of the Division of Children Services, said in a prepared statement. “Not only have they opened their home as foster parents and given permanency through adoption, but they have also provided emergency and respite care to children in need of a temporary place to stay until they could be reunited with family or placed long term. They are truly deserving of this award.”
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County foster parents receive Family of the Year award
