Brief History

The House of Samuel, Inc. was established in 1974 by Jenny Woods, an adoptive parent, who assisted many children and families in finding stability, safety, and permanency.

Jim and Candy Barr received the House of Samuel, Inc. and became licensed by the ODJFS in late 1999.  Jim and Candy have over 45 years combined experience working with children and families.

Charity Wheeler joined HOS, Inc, in the fall of 2000.  She quickly became a valuable asset to the agency.  Charity recently moved into the social work and counseling aspect of the agency.

Mission Statement

The House of Samuel, Inc. is a non-profit agency providing comprehensive family-centered adoption, foster care and counseling services to children and families.

Who serve families who desire to enhance their lives through fostering and/or adopting children in a culturally sensitive manner.

Through recruitment, education, support, child-match, family assessment, post-placement, post-finalization, and counseling services, we assist families in the life long process of adoption and foster care.

In light of our child and family centered focus, we also engage in short term mission and relief efforts.

Foster Care Services

The House of Samuel, Inc. provides both traditional and treatment foster care to children who are placed in the foster care system.

Foster families provide loving homes to children in need and strive to offer stability and security to the children in their care.  Foster parents teach their children valuable life lessons and encourage them to become a vital part of their community.  Chilren placed in the House of Samuel, Inc. foster care program are encouraged to get involved in school and community activities.  Our families teach appropriate social behaviors and assist the children in their care to become socially accepted.

Foster families ensure that the medical needs of their children are met and advocate for thier children's educational and mental health needs.

Foster families work with the child's biological family to assist in the reunification process.  If reunification is not a possibility, foster families assist the child to deal with grief and loss issues so that the child can join an adoptive family in the future.

While the process of becoming a Certified Foster Caregiver can be extensive, the benefit of being a foster caregiver is life long.

Respite Care Services

While our foster families are dedicated to serving the children placed in their homes, sometimes it is important for the family and the children to "get a break" from on another.  An important aspect of maintaining long-term placements is the use of Respite Care Services.

Respite Care is used on a short-term basis, consisting in as little as a few hours, to as long as a week or two.  Children placed in Respite Care stay with Certified Respite Care Providers to offer the family relief and the children time to themselves.

While the process of becoming a Certified Respite Care Provider is not as involved as becoming a Certified Foster Caregiver, there are requirements that need to be met and a process which must be completed.

Adoption

The House of Samuel, Inc. endeavors to match waiting children with families who are prepared to meet their unique needs.  The House of Samuel, Inc. provides both domestic and international adoption services, as well as services involving the adoption of children in the foster care program.