In celebration of May as National Foster Care Month, REM Ohio is proud to announce that
Jeff and Karol DeMartine of Bedford, Ohio, are the recipients of their Foster Mentor of the Year award in Cuyahoga County.

Knowing that a family setting is the optimum resource for providing long-term care for many adults living with developmental disabilities, REM Ohio, along with their Foster Mentors like the DeMartines, have created a support system that allows these adults to receive the kind of care that often transcends into becoming a member of the family.

At the age of 12, the DeMartine family opened their home to a young lady as foster mentors. Fifteen years later, the DeMartines still care for this young lady, supporting her love of numerous activities, including Special Olympics (bowling, golf and swimming), a local book club, and visiting out-of-state friends. Having
been a part of the DeMartines' family for so long, she chose to take her foster mentors' last name.

Jeff DeMartine has created a long lasting career working for the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Karol has spent her career working with residential providers and is currently pursuing a graduate degree. Professionally and personally, both Jeff and Karol have dedicated their lives to enriching
the lives of people with disabilities.

Currently, REM Ohio has more than 200 adult foster program participants with developmental disabilities placed in community family homes throughout Northeast Ohio. For the individuals supported, they achieve what they need most"a connection to a home and community, and the services they need to live as independently as they can. For the foster families, they gain a new family member, a friend, and someone whose personal gifts and charm can add a whole new dimension to their family lives.

"Individuals who choose to live in an adult foster home often maintain close relationships with their biological families, but the foster-mentor plays a very important support role in their lives", said Carla Parker, state
director, REM Ohio. "Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities require special care and an extraordinary commitment from their foster mentors. Foster care home participants in general thrive in these settings because they provide the safety and stability of a family home by caring committed foster mentors."

The DeMartines will be honored at REM Ohio's Annual Foster Mentor Appreciation Luncheon and Award Ceremony, May 19, 2010, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Maggiano's Little Italy, 26300 Cedar Road, Beachwood,Ohio.

If you are interested in becoming an adult foster parent-mentor please visit our website at www.rem-oh.com or call the local office at 800.570.4868 for more information.