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Behavioral Health Specialists, Inc.
900 W Norfolk Ave
Family Builders
Building Together To Strengthen Youth and Families |
Therapeutic Foster CareFamily Builders Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) is a nontraditional foster care program that serves children and adolescents who are temporarily unable to live with their biological families. Family Builders TFC program is a comprehensive approach to helping youth with special behavioral and emotional needs, which may limit their success in a traditional foster home. Family Builders foster parents provide youth with structure, consistency and necessary emotional support. Additionally, TFC works with the biological families of the youth to provide self-care, self-direction, cooperation and success to everyday problem solving. Like traditional foster care, the Family Builders TFC program's main objective is to reunify the youth with his/her biological family whenever possible. Adoption, guardianship or long-term foster care becomes the goal, which provides permanency for the youth, if reunification is not possible. A youth graduates from TFC when he or she meets treatment goals, and a stable and permanent home environment is ready and prepared. Family Builders TFC parents play a crucial role in the youth's life. They provide both the family environment and the therapeutic setting in which the youth will learn and grow. Family Builders TFC parents must complete a screening process and 41 hours of pre-service training before they receive placements. As a Family Builders Foster Parent you will receive:
Additional Information on Becoming a Foster Parent
Respite CareRespite Care Services offer foster or biological parents occasional breaks from the everyday stresses caused by parenting. Respite is a time for children to have positive interactions with other appropriate people besides their foster family or biological family. Accessed through the Department of Health and Human Services, Respite is time limited and generally occurs during the weekend, but can also be utilized during the week. Respite Parents are provided with a history of the youth, discipline techniques, curfews, medication directions and any other information relevant to the care of the youth. Respite Parents receive:
Additional Information on Becoming a Foster Parent
Emergency Foster CareThe Emergency Foster Care (EFC) program is designed to support children and families experiencing crisis situations that require children to be placed outside of their home in a safe and secure place for a short-term basis. Children typically remain in an Emergency Foster Home setting for up to 30 days. During this time, assessment and planning occur to determine the best long-term placement for a child. EFC foster parents are responsible for the following:
EFC foster parents will receive weekly in-home consultation, specialized training, on-call support, and a generous monthly stipend.
Home StudiesThrough a contract with the Department of Health and Human Services, BHS has staff available to complete home studies for prospective adoptive, foster and relative placements for children. These home studies include a minimum of three face-to-face interviews. Staff will also collect and review written information requested from the family and complete background checks on all family members living within the home. A formal report will be written upon completion of all interviews and background checks. This report will be forwarded to HHS to assist in placement decisions.
Family Support ProgramThe Family Support Program serves to enhance and strengthen a family's capacity to function independently. A primary goal of the program is to prevent or remedy the neglect, abuse, or exploitation of children who are unable to protect their own interests. To attain this goal, Family Support Specialists assist families by demonstrating, educating and empowering them to achieve the following:
Family Support Specialists usually meet with parents, youth, or the entire family in their home, school, or community setting to provide education, assistance, crisis intervention and support.
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Last Updated: 09/23/08 |
