Critcal Choices

Pros

• Choices is responsive and helpful throughout the licensing process.
• Choices is highly recommended for anyone starting their journey to foster.
• The staff are friendly, caring, and treat foster families like family.
• Samantha and Geri are praised for their dedication and time supporting families.
• The licensure and placement process with Choices is smooth and supportive.
• Choices genuinely cares about people and the southwest Ohio community.
• Former foster youth credit Choices staff with ongoing support and inspiration, even after aging out.
• Choices provides engaging activities and events for children and families, with quick, reliable communication.

Cons

• The staff are not properly supported and so they often burn out or fail outright.
• I'm unsure who the "credible human" reviewer is, but their clearly not a foster parent within Choices.
• Things have changed for the worst.
• It's called choices so make a better choice for your family and avoid doing any business with this establishment.
• CORRUPT
• All they do is sit there and laugh
• Very poor communication. Very slow to return calls.
• Lack of follow through on major concerns with foster children placed in the home.
• Supervisor refused to take calls, several days to return call after voicemail left explaining the situation and violent behavior of child causing safety risk to younger child in the home.

Review

CHOICES foster care is described by many as a place of genuine care and commitment, a network of people who enthusiastically put children and families first. Across dozens of notes, reviewers paint a picture of an agency that is deeply involved with its foster parents and the kids they serve. The organization is repeatedly framed as community-minded, with a culture that prizes personal attention, accessible support, and a sense of family. The praise spans from the licensure journey to ongoing involvement in events, trips, and everyday moments that help families grow together.

Several reviewers recount a licensure experience that felt approachable and supportive. The process is described as "smooth and painless," with staff who are responsive and ready to help at every step. Specific staff members are named as pivotal to the experience: Samantha is singled out as truly amazing; Chrissy is praised for answering questions and making the process comfortable; Geri is lauded for her time and encouragement. Others emphasize the personal touch - caseworkers who attend kids' sporting events, help plan outings, and remain available around the clock. The sense of being guided and valued through licensing and training comes through repeatedly, and a number of families say that Choices remains a foundational partner well beyond certification.

The testimonials also emphasize the strength of the relationships fostered by CHOICES. Several accounts describe staff who feel like family, creating a supportive, responsive environment for foster parents and their children. The sentiment is that the agency places a premium on one-on-one time and ongoing mentorship, with many parents feeling supported by a dedicated team rather than left to navigate challenges alone. When issues arise, these reviewers highlight quick response times and a readiness to assist, describing a culture where care and communication are prioritized. For some families, the sense of being protected and encouraged by knowledgeable, caring professionals is what keeps them connected to the agency year after year.

There are particularly touching stories from former foster youth who eventually aged out of the system but continued to rely on CHOICES' staff and ethos. One reviewer, now a 33-year-old parent herself, credits Choices and specific staff with helping her through difficult moments and continuing to inspire personal growth. The same thread of gratitude runs through mentions of long-time staff members such as Mr. Robert Bruce and his colleagues, who are described as steadfast, loving, and endlessly supportive. These narratives underscore a long arc of positive impact: mentors who stay in touch, guidance that extends beyond placement, and a sense of lifelong connection that many foster children carry forward into adulthood.

Beyond the immediate foster placement experience, reviewers celebrate the agency's community-building efforts. We hear about special events and outings that create shared memories for kids and families - Cincinnati Reds games, Kings Island trips, visits to places like COSI, and summer picnics. Donors' generosity is acknowledged for making birthdays and holidays brighter, and even small gestures - like gift cards for a celebratory day during a child's adoption - are remembered fondly. The presence of consistent support for both the children and the adults in their lives is presented as a hallmark of CHOICES, underscoring the agency's broader mission to nurture family life, not just placements.

Yet not all voices in the collection are uniformly positive. A cluster of reviews argues that the agency's strengths have not aged gracefully, noting a shift in the past two or more years. Some reviewers encourage prospective families to "make a better choice for your family and avoid doing any business with this establishment," signaling a perceived decline in certain aspects of service. Statements like "CORRUPT" and critiques such as "All they do is sit there and laugh" reflect strong negative opinions in the mix, suggesting concerns about integrity and engagement at higher levels. While these voices are not the majority, they are persistent enough to warrant careful consideration by anyone looking to engage with CHOICES.

Other reviewers point to procedural and communication gaps that have emerged over time. They describe very poor communication, with delays in returning calls and a perceived lack of follow-through on major concerns involving foster children. Some recount instances of urgent safety issues where responses were not as rapid as expected, and a supervisor who would not take calls, delaying resolution. These accounts highlight a tension between the agency's original, deeply caring image and harsh experiences that some families have encountered in recent years. Taken together, these perspectives present CHOICES as a organization with a powerful, positive legacy, yet one that some families feel has grown more challenging to navigate.

In sum, CHOICES fosters a complex portrait: a network of devoted professionals who celebrate the joys of family, provide meaningful one-on-one support, and create lasting connections for foster children and their parents. At the same time, a subset of reviews raises concerns about communication, responsiveness, and organizational changes that have, for some families, undermined trust and satisfaction. For anyone considering CHOICES, the message is to seek out current, direct testimonials, ask detailed questions about response times and case management, and assess whether the agency's present operations align with your family's needs and expectations. The stories together offer a nuanced view: a cherished, mission-driven agency for many, with notable challenges that others have experienced in recent years.

This part of Cincinnati, Ohio offers convenient access to several hospitals including Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, ensuring quality healthcare services are readily available. Additionally, there are a variety of pharmacies nearby for easy access to medications. The area also features a diverse selection of restaurants offering a range of dining options, as well as cafes for leisurely coffee outings. Transportation options such as Metro Bond Hill Garage provide accessibility for those without personal vehicles. In terms of recreational activities, residents can enjoy parks like Ziegler Park and Washington Park, along with places of worship like St Mary Church and St Vivian's Catholic Church for spiritual support. Overall, this neighborhood provides a blend of medical facilities, amenities, and recreational opportunities making it an ideal location for senior living in Cincinnati.

Hospitals

• Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (0.8 miles)
• University of Cincinnati Medical Center (1.1 miles)
• Veterans Hospital (1.1 miles)
• Good Samaritan Hospital (1.7 miles)
• The Christ Hospital (2.2 miles)
• Summit Behavioral Healthcare (3.3 miles)
• Cincinnati Children's (4.1 miles)

Physicians

• University Hospital Outpatient Building (1 miles)
• Hand Surgery Specialists (1.4 miles)
• The Urology Group (2.1 miles)
• Riverhills Neuroscience (2.3 miles)
• ESD Pediatric Group (2.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.1 miles)
• Skyline Chili (1.5 miles)
• Alabama Que (1.6 miles)
• Wendy's (2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.1 miles)
• Murphy's Pub (2.3 miles)
• Hook Fish & Chicken (2.3 miles)

Cafes

• The 86 Coffee Bar & Concert Venue (1.5 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Coffee Emporium (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Deeper Roots Coffee (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)
• York Street Cafe (4.2 miles)

Transportation

• Metro Bond Hill Garage (1.7 miles)
• Government Square (3.5 miles)

Parks

• Ziegler Park (2.9 miles)
• Washington Park (3.1 miles)
• Washington Dog Park (3.2 miles)
• John G & Phyllis W Smale Riverfront Park (3.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Mary Church (3 miles)
• St Vivian's Catholic Church (4.5 miles)