Therapeutic foster care is considered a form of mental health treatment. It is a temporary placement in a licensed therapeutic foster home for children and teens that have impairments in their ability to function within their own families, in school or in the community. These children may have cognitive or behavioral problems, developmental delays, aggressive behaviors, and often need support and supervision to help manage their health, welfare, and safety.

What Does it Take to be a Therapeutic Foster Parent?

Successful therapeutic foster parents often have the following qualities:

• Patience
  
• Persistence
  
• Flexibility
  
• Consistency
• Calm in the midst of stress
  
• Ability to be a team player
  
• Good stress management skills
  
• A good support system of friends, extended family, etc.
  
• Good communication skills
  
• A sense of humor

Therapeutic foster parents complete 30 hours of basic pre-service training required for all foster parents. In addition, therapeutic foster parents complete additional training in Substance Abuse and its Effects on Families and Adolescents, Crisis Intervention, and Working with Emotionally Disturbed Children. Licensing requirements include a fire inspection, environmental inspection, physical exams, and criminal record checks.

Therapeutic foster parents licensed with CHS receive a great deal of support and attention to enable them to do the best possible job of caring for a child. Along with excellent training and skilled supervision, therapeutic foster parents with CHS receive competitive compensation and 24-hour emergency support services.

If you are interested in becoming a therapeutic foster parent, please contact CHS at 1-800-632-1400. You can make a positive difference in the life of a child. Though Therapeutic Foster Care in not available through CHS in all 100 counties, it is our goal to grow the program to encompass the entire state. Please call for more information on the availability of Therapeutic Foster Care in your area.