About us

NOAS is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) agency founded in 1978 to serve children and families, with programs built on our mission to promote lifelong permanency for current and former foster youth by recruiting, preparing, and supporting families and positive connections. We are accredited through the Council of Accreditation (COA) agency and have placed over 1,300 children into loving, adoptive homes throughout NE Ohio.

While NOAS is perhaps best known for our foster care and adoption work, we have grown into much more than a placement agency. While we hope every child finds their forever family, this is not always the case, and NOAS is committed to serving children, families & young adults no matter what.

With the goal of supporting our clients every step of the way, NOAS has grown to include the following programs:

NOAS provides qualifying young adults with a supportive caseworker to help guide them as they transition to independence.

Because we believe in the power of ONE caring adult, NOAS launched a volunteer mentoring program for current and former foster youth. The program allows teens and young adults to form healthy connections while having fun new experiences in the community.

Parenting children from hard places has unique challenges, but TBRI®, an evidence-based parenting style designed by Karyn Purvis, offers helpful guidance for parents. NOAS provides TBRI® classes and coaching, designed to support parents and children by prioritizing connection.

NOAS foster and adoptive families come together in person or virtually with Zoom to share victories, challenges, and suggestions. Families receive training credits towards renewing their license, free childcare, and dinner.

NOAS is committed to meeting children, families and young adults where they are and providing the necessary support for them to thrive.

FIRST LEGALIZATION
ARTICLE ABOUT WAITING KIDS 1979
NOAS Team 1981
ADOPTION DAY 2023
NOAS is committed to serving children, families & young adults no matter what.
NOAS will support you in every step of your journey

How it started…

We originally started as NOAP – Northeast Ohio Adoption Project in 1975. Our founder Barbara Lewis Roberts started this project on the belief that there are no unadoptable children, just families needing to be found. The product of a three-year, federally funded Project, NOAS (Northeast Ohio Adoption Services) emerged as an independent, specialized adoption agency in 1978 with a staff of four and a budget of $80,000.

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Our Philosophy…

Our mission at NOAS is we exist to inspire, develop, and nurture enduring support and connections for current and former foster youth and those at risk of coming into care.

Our vision at NOAS is we envision the day when every child and young adult has a safe and supportive family network.

We hold true to our core values that families, children, and young adults come first at NOAS through Connections, Customer Service, Diversity, Integrity, Fiscal Responsibility, Teamwork, and Change.

1 Founder

Barbara Lewis Roberts

35 Employees

and growing

24/7 Support

because families and children come first

44 Years Strong

We got the experience. Call us.

Our work is NEVER done.

Our work is focused on making tangible differences in the lives of the children and families we serve. From the beginning we provided foster youth with lifelong permanency and positive connections. For the next 100 years to come, NOAS will remain committed to meeting children, families and young adults where they are and providing the necessary support for them to thrive.

Our Skills…

We develop and maintain genuine relationships by being supportive and open-minded and build on the strengths of each team member to accomplish the best outcome for our children and families we serve. NOAS team members are considerate and highly trained with clinical staff that have received professional certifications including:

  • CFLE (Certified Family Life Educator)
  • LSW (Licensed Social Worker)
  • LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker)
  • LISW-S (Licensed Independent Social Worker-Supervisor)
  • PCC-S (Professional Clinical Counselor-Supervisor)
  • MA (Master of Arts)
  • Master’s Degree
Our Team
NOAS TEAM is LGBTQ Certified through All Families - All Children
Licensed by Ohio Department of Job & Family Services
NOAS Charges NO Fees To Families
6 Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiters funded by The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
NOAS Offers 8 Pre-placement Training Classes a year with weekend options
NOAS offers on-going foster parent training