One Parent's Story

[Note: The terms "treatment foster care" and "therapeutic foster care" are interchangeable. "Client" refers to the child/young person.]

I am a treatment foster care parent. I did traditional foster care for some time and then transitioned to treatment foster care after a child I had in my home required treatment. I can only relate my understanding and experience to those of you who have wondered about the differences, benefits, and challenges of doing one form of foster care compared to the other. Most importantly I would like everyone to understand the benefits of both for children. One size, does not fit all when it comes to foster care.

The Children/Youth

In traditional foster care I cared for a variety of ages. As a treatment foster parent, we occasionally do get referrals for younger children, but infants and toddlers are a very rare occurrence. Most of our clients are late elementary, middle and high school age.

While some are in state custody not all of them are. Some have biological or adoptive families who, for whatever reason, may not be able to care for them. Some have never been in foster care before. Some have gone from one home to the next in state custody, or blown out of adoptions, or just been released from treatment or mental health facilities, such as acute care units or residential treatment care. For whatever reason, the child was classified as either difficult to place in state custody, or having emotional or health needs which require treatment.

Matching

As a treatment parent our families must be matched to the placement. When I say matched, I mean they match our entire family - all the members living in our home - and if an adult lives with us he/she must be trained and licensed or cleared first.

A match is very important because we do not move a child out of our home once placement is made. We work with them as long as possible to accomplish their treatment goals and either reunify with their biological/adoptive family, go into traditional foster care or group home, or are discharged.

We first look at referrals which list behaviors, challenges and diagnosis, age, and gender of child.
We decide on a possible match, confer with a treatment coordinator, and then if we are a possible match, we meet the child.
We might do a 2, 24 or 72 hour pass in order for the child to have an opportunity to choose or not choose our family.
The child or client does have the right to say no and is encouraged to process their opinions or thoughts freely. It is important that they feel some ownership of their treatment and not be placed into treatment without their consent.

Treatment

The treatment we provide is based on a team concept. It basically provides individual and family counseling, creation of a treatment plan with specific goals to accomplish which the client helps to create. A daily motivational system is also created based on the treatment plan. This system is implemented daily in the treatment home.

A motivational plan is similar to a responsibility chart. Each task or responsibility earns the client points which in turn earn privileges. It can be implemented in a variety of ways but most use levels that progress from very limited privileges to less restricted privileges. We also have medication monitoring by a psychiatrist if it is needed.

Daily Details

There are different rates of reimbursement for different programs, but basically we get a room and board reimbursement and a difficulty of care reimbursement.

We do documentation on medication, school, family contact, medical appointments and treatment implemented in our homes that is quite extensive.
We also have a daily calendar that is required for the clients to complete each day, which we supervise, and explains what they have done all day long on an hourly basis.
We advocate for our child in all areas and are an essential part of the treatment team.
We assist in establishing and creating goals for the child, and are responsible for implementing their in-home treatment.
We have home visits once a month, bi-weekly special concerns visits for the client to ensure they are not being maltreated, and we have weekly parent contact meetings with our coordinators to ensure we are working for the best interest of our children. We also have a weekly support group for parents and monthly gatherings to get to know other clients in the program and receive training.
In some instances a child may remain in our home after their treatment is completed. They may remain at a traditional foster care rate or as a boarder (in the instance of a child turning 18). Some parents may even choose to adopt their placement if possible.

Whatever the outcome, we care about where these children we have grown to love end up, and we attempt to help them in any way we can.

by Lynn
a TFC Parent and Soon-to-be Adoptive parent of Family Pride TFC in Las Cruces, NM