Now Licensed in KENtUCKY AND West Virginia!
Fostering. Healthier. Community.
More than 30,000 children in out-of-home care across West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio are waiting for a dependable, loving family to provide the care, safety and stability they need.
Could your family be the one they’re waiting for?
OVP FAMILY, a division of OVP HEALTH, was created in late 2024 to address this need by providing children and families with quality foster care and independent living services, as well as an unprecedented level of “wraparound” care.
OVP FAMILY recently received licensure from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services to provide foster care, adoption, and independent living services for children and youth in the Bluegrass State. So, similar to West Virginia, we’re now recruiting, training, and certifying foster parents in Kentucky, and we’re making progress on securing licensure from the state of Ohio.
If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, we invite you to explore these web pages, and to contact us, so we can reach out to you.
Thinking About
Becoming a Foster Parent?
If you’re thinking about becoming a foster parent, you’ll want to visit this section regularly to view our monthly OVP FAMILY UPDATE videos. In this month’s video, OVP FAMILY President Greg Thompson, JD, MA, talks about our recent licensure to provide foster care, adoption, and independent living services in Kentucky, and updates us on OVP FAMILY’s progress in West Virginia and Ohio.
About OVP Family
OVP Family was established in 2024 by Huntington, WV-based OVP HEALTH. With core service lines spanning primary care, behavioral health, addiction medicine, emergency medicine, and hospital medicine, OVP HEALTH brings a unique and comprehensive perspective to child health and welfare across West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.
You can find updated information about OVP FAMILY on Social Media
Click on the links (on the right) to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and to watch our informational videos onYouTube
Earlier today at the annual EveryChild NOW conference in Charleston, OVP FAMILY foster parent Jaycie Bias received the 2026 EveryChild NOW Connection Impact Award, which is given to programs making meaningful connections, reducing social isolation, and strengthening families across West Virginia. Jaycie was honored for her outstanding work as Executive Director of the online community "West Virginia Fostering Together,” which she describes in the following video.
WV Fostering Together ... See MoreSee Less
OVP Family has been well-represented today at the annual EveryChild NOW Conference in Charleston (WV) where Autumn Culvyhouse, OVP Family Licensing Specialist, snapped these photos of one of our amazing foster parents, Jaycie Bias, as she received The Community Connections Award for her work as Executive Director of WV Fostering Together.
We celebrate this honor with Jaycie and we are proud to have her with OVP Family. ... See MoreSee Less
West Virginia has the highest rate of children in foster care in the United States, a rate that is four times the national average. As a result, more than 6,000 children in the Mountain State are waiting for a foster family to provide them with a safe, stable, and loving home. ... See MoreSee Less
We're highlighting the many great reasons for becoming a foster parent. Another great reason: you will make a difference in your community.
It is often said that children are our future, and it stands to reason that providing safe, stable, and loving homes for children will help build stronger, healthier communities for many generations to come. Today’s children will be tomorrow’s leaders, teachers, physicians, and engineers, but to fully realize their potential as adults, children often require the foundation of safety, security, stability, and discipline that come from having a caring, loving family. By providing that foundation for a child, you not only make a difference in that child’s life, but you make a meaningful contribution to the well-being and future of your community as well. ... See MoreSee Less
There are so many great reasons for becoming a foster parent. Here’s another one:
It will be a transformative experience for you and your family.
The benefits of choosing to be a foster parent are immense and life altering. In addition to the rewards of knowing you’ve made a profound difference in the life of a child in need, supporting and housing that child will give you and your family members a remarkable opportunity to do something emotionally fulfilling, allowing your family to bond as you help the child adjust and settle into your home. When you involve your entire family in the process, you can help your kids develop essential life qualities such as adaptability, compassion, and patience. And along the way, you can create treasured experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. Among those experiences are the many “firsts” you and your family can provide, such as birthdays, holiday celebrations, travel, extracurriculars, and a host of other lifelong memories you can all share together. ... See MoreSee Less
Ovie P. Otter and our President of Foster Care Services, Greg Thompson, had the pleasure of attending the Annual Rhododendron Roll Easter celebration at the WV State Capitol Complex today hosted by Governor Patrick Morrisey and First Lady Denise Morrisey.
It was a wonderful opportunity to share the story of OVP Family and talk about our work to help children and families. We greatly appreciate the invitation!
Visit us at www.ovpfamily.com to learn more. ... See MoreSee Less
Another great reason to become a foster parent:
You will possibly save a family and help the birth parents heal and grow.
It’s important to note that the number one goal of foster care at OVP FAMILY (beyond placing children in safe, stable homes) is reunification of the child or children with their biological parents, when safe and possible. When possible as a foster parent, you’ll not only serve as a child’s caretaker, but as a “relief valve” and role model for biological parents who are doing the hard work required to overcome problems that may have led to the removal of their children. By caring for foster children and showing their parents kindness and sympathy, you help the family heal and grow ¾ and potentially reunite. ... See MoreSee Less
OVP FAMILY is here to provide you with messages highlighting the many great reasons for becoming a foster parent.
GREAT REASON #1
You will make a difference in a child’s life.
Foster children have experienced traumatic events early in their lives that make them unable to live with their family of origin. Some of the most common reasons children require foster care include:
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Substance abuse by a parent or guardian
• Neglect
• Domestic violence
• Emotional abuse
• Incarceration of one or both parents
• Death of one or both parents
Opening your home to a child or children, offering them a safe and stable environment, and giving them the care, love and attention they need could be everything to them and make a tremendous, positive difference in their lives.
Beyond that, by showing troubled children what a stable, loving household is like and teaching them how to treat others with kindness and respect, you can help break the cycle of abuse and neglect and change the trajectory of lives for future generations. Through the lessons foster children learn from you, they have a chance to grow up to provide safety and security for their own children, and their children’s children will do the same. ... See MoreSee Less
OVP Family and our mascot, Ovie P. Otter, will always fight for better care, access and lower barriers for foster children and families.
Today we're taking our efforts to Charleston (WV) and the WV Legislature, taking part in "Wild, Wonderful and Worth Fighting For" Foster Care Day at the Legislature.
Visit us at www.ovpfamily.com to learn more about our efforts! ... See MoreSee Less