Types of Foster Care

There are many types of foster care to serve the unique needs of children who have been removed from their homes. In addition to family (or traditional) foster care, CHS offers customized support and training for relative, respite, and therapeutic foster care. All of these types of foster care take place in a family home-based setting, which research shows is the best environment for meeting children’s needs.

Relative Foster Care

Also known as Kinship Care

Relative Foster Care is temporary or permanent care provided to children by relatives or close family friends (“fictive kin”). Relatives are frequently the preferred resource for children in foster care because they help maintain a child’s connection to family and community. CHS is dedicated to helping relative caregivers provide children with the love and support they need until a permanent plan is determined.

To receive a relative foster care license, you must go through specialized training known as Caring For Our Own, the only NC approved curriculum designed especially for relative caregivers. CHS is one of the few agencies in the state that offers this training. By becoming licensed, you will receive monthly payments to help with the costs of caring for relative children, along with ongoing support from CHS. A relative foster care license only allows you to provide fostering services to relative or fictive kin children.

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Respite Care

Short-term Foster Care Placements

Respite care is short-term care provided by another licensed foster parent or family so that the traditional foster family can recuperate from stress or fulfill previous obligations without permanently disrupting the child’s placement.

Respite care is an opportunity for individuals and families that want to help others or give fostering a try but aren’t ready for a long-term commitment. Interested? Inquire about becoming a foster parent, and once licensed, specify “respite care” in your preferences.

 

 

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Therapeutic Foster Care

Providing Love, Care, Support, and Treatment

Therapeutic foster care is temporary or permanent care provided by licensed caregivers who are specifically trained to offer evidence-based support related to significant behavioral and mental health needs. Along with specialized training and personalized support, CHS offers our licensed therapeutic foster parents additional compensation.

To receive a license in therapeutic foster care, families follow all the steps to become a traditional foster parents, then work with their specialist to complete additional hours of training including Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) and Together Facing the Challenge (TFTC). Therapeutic foster care families are also often subject to additional visits and documentation. CHS is credentialed to provide TFTC through Duke University.

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Becoming a Foster Parent
Interested in becoming a licensed foster parent? Learn more about the requirements, as well as the training, services, and support that CHS offers.
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Foster Care Support
Fostering a child can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it’s not without its challenges. See how we help you navigate the ups and downs and offer supportive services throughout your journey.
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