Critcal Choices in Cincinnati, OH

Pros

• Choices is highly responsive to questions and helps prospective foster parents navigate the licensing process.
• The staff are friendly, caring, and treat foster families like family.
• The agency genuinely cares about people and provides exceptional support for foster parents and children.
• Samantha and Geri provide dedicated, time-rich support to families, going above and beyond.
• The licensing and onboarding process with Choices is smooth and reassuring, with questions answered clearly.
• The team is described as mentors, teachers, protectors, and cheerleaders for families.
• Former foster youth credit Choices staff with ongoing support, unconditional care, and inspiration to grow.
• Choices offers meaningful events and opportunities for families and maintains positive, proactive communication.

Cons

• One reviewer says the company has a lot of learning and growing to do, with staff not properly supported, leading to burnout or outright failure.
• Another reviewer claims all the good reviews were from 2+ years ago and that things have worsened, advising to avoid doing business with the establishment.
• A reviewer simply states the agency is “CORRUPT.”
• Another reviewer complains that “All they do is sit there and laugh.”
• A reviewer reports very poor communication, slow return of calls, and lack of follow-through, including safety risks due to a child’s violent behavior.
• A reviewer says they are considering legal avenues and are done with Choices.

Review

Choices in Cincinnati, OH is best suited for foster families who want a warm, family-like culture with hands-on staff support and a strong sense of community. This agency tends to attract caregivers who value mentorship, regular training, and engagement beyond the paperwork, people who appreciate staff who show up for events, help navigate licensing, and stay connected through the long arc of fostering and adoption. For families seeking a predictable, highly polished operations model, this is a good match when the priority is relational backing and practical guidance over slick systems. Those who require near-perfect execution, lightning-fast responses, or flawless consistency in safety follow-through may find the fit less secure and should consider alternatives with tighter process discipline.

Yet, several critics clearly flag where caution is warranted. Those who insist on consistently prompt communications, transparent leadership accountability, and reliable follow-through on重大 concerns should note the cautions voiced by some clinicians and foster families. A subset of reviews allege slow responsiveness, uneven administrative performance, and even concerns about governance or proper handling of difficult situations. In practice, this means decisions tied to urgent safety or escalating behavioral issues may suffer from delays or inconsistent escalation, an important factor for families with high-risk placements or tight timelines. Weigh these red flags carefully against the relational strengths described below.

The strongest positives center on human connection and sustained caregiver support. The staff are repeatedly praised for being friendly, genuinely invested, and remarkably available for foster parents, often described as “family-like” and deeply committed. One-on-one attention from experienced mentors, rapid accessibility for questions, and a track record of hands-on assistance with licensing and placement create a foundation that can feel stabilizing for families navigating complex dynamics. The emphasis on community-building, special events, outings, and ongoing training, helps families and kids build continuity, which can offset some stresses intrinsic to foster care. When these relational strengths align with a family’s needs, the advantages are meaningful and tangible.

However, the weight of the cons cannot be dismissed. The most consequential drawback is the perceived fragility of the operating backbone: staff burnouts, inconsistent administrative support, and variable follow-through on major concerns. Several reviews accuse leadership and administrative channels of lagging or failing to address safety risks promptly, with instances of delayed calls or unreturned messages that can compound already tense placements. Coupled with unambiguous accusations of corruption or disrespect from some critics, these factors undermine confidence in a fully reliable system. For families facing fragile placements, or those who require a rock-solid line of escalation and accountability, these gaps simply cannot be ignored.

From a practical decision-making standpoint, a clear framework matters. Prospective families should verify concrete expectations before committing: the caseload size and average response times for urgent versus non-urgent issues; documented escalation paths; safety protocols for high-risk situations; and real references from current foster parents about day-to-day responsiveness. If Choices remains attractive, negotiate a written service plan that assigns a dedicated caseworker with predictable availability, and insist on transparent progress reports. For those prioritizing medical-grade reliability, it may be prudent to compare a few other Cincinnati-area agencies, focusing on operational consistency, turnaround times, and proven safety outcomes, while still acknowledging the genuine, value-driven support that Choices frequently delivers.

In the end, Choices presents a compelling value proposition for families who prize mentorship, personal connection, and ongoing training within a warm, community-focused framework. The decision hinges on risk tolerance for administrative variability and the demand for consistently prompt, decisive follow-through on safety concerns. If the priority is sustained relational support and a nurturing culture that helps both foster parents and children feel seen, Choices can be a strong partner. If, instead, reliability, immediacy, and uncompromising administrative discipline are non-negotiables, the field of alternatives should be explored with diligence, and a careful comparison of governance, response times, and safety accountability conducted before committing.

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)