The Children’s Home is actively recruiting for Foster Parents. Call us today at 410-744-7310 to learn how you can make a major difference in the life of a child.
What is Treatment Foster Care?
Treatment Foster Care is more than care for children who are no longer able to stay at home with their families. It is temporary care for children who need specialized care. It is care that cannot be provided in a regular foster care home. These children have troubling behaviors, but are not appropriate for a residential placement. They have been evaluated and determined to be able to succeed in a structured treatment foster home.
The Benefits of Becoming a Treatment Foster Parent
- Learn to parent in a way that helps inspire a child’s appropriate behavior.
- Learn skills that will improve your personal relationships.
- Be a professional member of a treatment team.
- Receive ongoing training on current issues, such as individual treatment design, child abuse and neglect, and drug/alcohol abuse.
- Be supervised in your home by a social worker (at least weekly) who will assist you with problem solving and treatment goal setting with your foster child.
- Enjoy a respite weekend (with your child visiting another treatment family), after the child has adjusted to your home.
- Have 24-hour crisis support from a licensed social worker.
- Meet other treatment foster parents, be invited to social events, and be a member of a parent support group.
- Feel good knowing that you are helping to create good childhood memories for a child who might not have any without you and your family.
The length of placement varies depending on the individual plan. We require that treatment parents make a one year commitment. However, the placement may be shorter or longer. The expected length of a child’s stay in a home is discussed at the time of placement. We manage foster care services for children from 3 to 20 years of age.
Reasons for Placement in Treatment Foster Care
- Child has special needs (behavioral problems or social/emotional problems that place the child at risk for out of home placement).
- Child is involved in a crisis and needs temporary or permanent care.
- Child has been abused (physically, emotionally, sexually), neglected, or abandoned.
Treatment Foster Care Parent Qualifications
- Adults with good child caring skills.
- Adults who are eager to enhance those basic skills through training
- People who are responsible, loving, generous, and willing to share their home and family with a foster child.
- Adults willing to work closely and cooperatively with a licensed agency social worker in the design and delivery of treatment in their home.
- Adults at least 21 years old, single or married. If married, both parents are required to attend the pre-service training. If single, a friend, neighbor, or relative must commit to completing the pre-service training and to being the other’s partner in providing treatment foster care.
- Adults willing to work cooperatively with the Department of Social Services, school staff, community therapists, and other professionals involved in a child’s life.
Licensing Process & Training
- Submit applications (and three references)
- Successfully complete 24 hours of pre-service treatment parent training
- Make sure their home meets with licensing requirements of health department and fire department.
- Meet all licensing requirements (including criminal background check and child abuse clearance for all family members).
- High school diploma or GED required.