SPECIALIZED THERAPEUTIC and safe home FOSTER CARE
Specialized Therapeutic Foster Care – In addition to ‘traditional’ foster care, CHN also has the honor of recruiting, training and supporting families in the Tampa Bay area for Specialized Therapeutic Foster Care (STFC). STFC is a treatment program where therapeutic foster parents provide a more in-depth level of support to children who are struggling to overcome significant trauma and/or are struggling with mental health challenges. Therapeutic foster parents receive an additional 30 hours of pre-service training. Families receive psychiatric services through CHN, in addition to an in-home therapist who visits 1-2 a week to help support the child and family.
Safe Home Foster Care - The CHANCE program is an STFC program for victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation. The program was developed by Citrus Health Network in 2013, and CHN was privileged to be able to partner with them in order to expand the program to Pinellas/Pasco Counties. CHANCE Safe Home families receive the same 30hr pre-service training as STFC parents, with an additional 24hrs of training specifically on Human Trafficking. CHANCE Safe Homes only serve 1 child at a time, and families receive complete wraparound support including psychiatric care through a contracted provider, a therapist who visits 2-5 times per week, a targeted case manager to assist with coordination of care, and a life coach mentor with lived experience as a survivor of human trafficking to support the youth
Therapeutic Foster and Safe Home Foster Parents must meet all the basic required licensing requirements. In addition, families must be:
Flexible with their schedule. Frequently children in therapeutic foster care struggle to maintain daily typical interactions. This can result in school or daycare suspensions, behavioral and mental health challenges.
Assist children with a variety of services and supports that help promote their healing through a variety of therapies and treatment modalities, including increased school supports such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP), or tutoring.
Open to a different approach to parenting. Children who have experienced trauma may not respond to typical parenting approaches. They require patience and celebrations for small accomplishments, tenacity and acceptance.
Participate as an integral member of a mental health treatment team to best support the child in their home.
WHO AND HOW WE SERVE
CHN licenses and supports foster families that nurture and heal traumatized children ages 0 – 17, including children age 18+ in extended foster care.
Prospective families are trained to understand and respond to trauma and associated behaviors in children, as well as understand the impact of their life experiences.
Specialized Therapeutic foster parents are trained and supported as an integral member of the child’s treatment team.
Therapeutic foster parents receive an additional 30 hours of pre-service training. Families receive psychiatric services through CHN, in addition to an in-home therapist who visits 1-2 a week to help support the child and family.
Children in Specialized Therapeutic Foster Care and Safe Homes receive routine psychiatric care at CHN
Foster families are prepared and supported to work with their child(ren)’s biological families so that critical connections and relationships are safely maintained through the child’s journey in foster care.
Foster families receive regular contact, visitation and assistance with navigating the child welfare system on behalf of their child(ren) and are considered valued and respected partners.
Quarterly and monthly foster family support groups to provide relevant training, support, fellowship and resources.
BASIC LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
You must be at least 21 years of age and a resident of Hillsborough County, Florida.
You must be financially stable enough to support yourself and an additional child(ren) for 90 days without additional financial support.
All household members must be willing to comply with background screening requirements.
If in a domestic partnership/relationship, both participants must embark on the foster care journey together and both parties are required to participate in training and the licensure process.
You must be willing to work as part of a team and advocate for the child(ren) and their family’s needs.
You must be willing to participate in foster parent preparation training, an additional 30 or 52 hours of specialized training for STFC and Safe Home respectively, and the licensing process with a member of the CHN team.
You must be willing to participate in the child’s treatment as a member of the team.
HOW TO GET STARTED
If you are ready to make a meaningful, rewarding impact in the life of a child:
Register for foster parent preparation training (Saturday and weeknight options are available) by calling 813-847-8554, or email: LetsFoster@Childrenshomenetwork.org.
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