Morrison - Child & Family Services

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Therapeutic Foster Care

Often youth participating in Therapeutic Foster Care have suffered severe physical, sexual and/or emotional trauma. As a result, they experience mental health and behavioral issues that make it difficult for them to cope with daily routines and relationships. The complexity of these challenges requires intervention in many areas. Therapeutic foster care homes provide a supportive, structured environment in which youth can stabilize and learn how to manage the expressions of their sadness and anger and how to interact positively with others. Intensive case management and care coordination link together mental health providers, school personnel and other community services to build a network of support around each child served in the program. Skills training enhances parents' and youths' abilities to cope with challenges and achieve long-term stability.

Services are time-limited and are intended to prepare the youth for a successful transition into a less intensive level of care and back into their community and families. Some homes are able to provide services to Spanish speaking children and youth.

Eligibility
Therapeutic Foster Care is a community placement, therefore the youth must be able to maintain personal safety for self and others (i.e. not actively suicidal, homicidal or involved in severe self harm) and be in reasonably good physical health (not requiring extended medical care beyond what a community setting can provide). Youth ages 4-17, with a focus on youth 14 years old and younger.

Referrals
DHS placement coordinators have more specific Therapeutic Foster Care
information such as placement criteria, availability and referral packets. All referrals should be directed to the designated DHS placement coordinators listed below. Upon completion, DHS placement coordinators will forward referral packets to a case manager.