Treatment Foster Care

Treatment Foster Care

What Is Treatment Foster Care?

Treatment foster care (TFC) is designed to meet the needs of children who require a higher level of foster care. It is tailored to meet the unique challenges of children with treatment needs that range from moderate to high. Foster parents are also supported at a higher level through specialized training, respite services, dedicated support teams, and peer support.

TFC is family-based care, provided in your home. The focus is on the treatment needs of the children. There is an emphasis on trauma-informed care and child well-being.

As a treatment foster parent, you are part of a professional team.

TFC licenses available:

  • Level 3 (Moderate treatment foster care)
  • Level 4 (Specialized treatment foster care)

 

Curious about what foster programs are available in your area?

Who Are the Foster Parents?

Treatment foster parents are from all walks of life — Single people, couples, young families, empty nesters, stay-at-home parents and those working inside or outside of the home. They are ordinary people who have made an extraordinary commitment to caring for kids and helping to make their community a better place.

Two common traits of foster parents:

  • Foster parents want to help kids. They are in it for the kids. Their focus is on the best interests of the children in their care.
  • Foster parents are adaptable. They can adjust to unexpected circumstances.

Interested in learning more?

Or download this form and apply today!

Foster parents provide day-to-day care and safety for children. They meet the child’s medical, educational, social and developmental needs. They make sure their well-being is provided for.

Foster parents are also expected to comply with agency requirements, meet licensing standards and share any important information about the child to the team and the courts.

  • Foster parenting also means working with the child’s family, the agency and, when appropriate, the child’s tribe.
  • Foster parents make sure the child’s treatment needs are met. They include the birth family in as much of the child’s life as possible.
  • As the child’s case develops, foster parents prepare the child to go home or to reach another permanent home, such as adoption or guardianship.

The children come from diverse backgrounds and range in age from birth to 18.

Children receiving treatment-level care could have a variety of needs ranging from moderate to significant. Some examples include:

  • Trauma histories such as abuse, neglect or witnessing domestic violence
  • Emotional and behavioral disorders
  • Moderate to complex medical needs
  • Developmental or cognitive delays

Most children attend daycare and school, participate in activities and therapies and still have connections and visits with their birth family. Keeping siblings placed together is a goal whenever possible.

 

  • Trust: Children’s Wisconsin is an organization with a clear mission and strong core values. We have established best practices and safety standards to ensure quality service for the health and well-being of children.
  • Support: You will not be alone in the fostering journey. Staff are available around the clock to support you.
  • Respite awarded: Treatment foster care homes earn a minimum of three respite nights per month. Those caring for youth 13+ earn five respite nights per month. It’s okay to take a break! You earned it.
  • Clinical resources: Expert consultation is available to foster parents needing additional support and/or who are caring for high-risk youth. Parent Child Interaction Therapy and the Child Counseling Center prioritize children in foster care.
  • No forced placements: We work with you to develop the best matches for your home. We will respect the age range that you prefer to foster.
  • Additional support: All foster children have a case manager, but the treatment program offers an additional staff member who will work closely with you on stability of placements and advocate for you and your foster child.
  • Teen incentive and support: Treatment foster parents caring for teens earn two extra respite nights per teen/per month. A financial reimbursement up to $100 per month/per family can be awarded for activities focused on relationship building between teens and parents. An adolescent specialist is automatically provided as support to families that foster teenagers.
  • In-house training: Statewide educators are on staff to support your pre-placement and ongoing training needs at no cost. Virtual training platforms allow you to remain at home. A training model, Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC), offers a parenting framework and skills to foster families. Participate in trauma-informed care (TIC) education for fostering children with trauma histories.
  • Foster Parent Mentoring Program: Experienced foster families are matched with new foster parents. Get support and guidance from another peer.
Below are the basic requirements:
  • You must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Agree to a series of background checks for all adults residing in the home.
  • You can be single, partnered, or married. If two-parent household, both individuals must be licensed unless one is receiving care themselves.
  • Have the income and resources to make timely payments on all household expenses without relying on the basic maintenance payments received for a foster child.
  • Provide verification of homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.
  • Provide verification of vehicle liability insurance (if you own an automobile).
  • Possess sound judgment and positive parenting skills.
  • Provide four favorable references- 3 nonrelatives and 1 adult relative.
  • The physical environment of the home must meet licensing requirements.
  • Completion of “Nurturing Connections” training prior to licensure.
Additional requirements, specific to treatment foster care only:

Level 3 - An applicant for certification to operate a Level 3 foster home shall have at least 3 of the following:

  1. A minimum of one year of experience as a foster parent or kinship care provider.
  2. A minimum of 5 years of experience working with or parenting children.
  3. A minimum of 500 hours of experience as a respite provider for children under the supervision of a human services agency.
  4. A high school diploma or the equivalent.
  5. A college, vocational, technical, or advanced degree in the area of a foster child’s treatment needs, such as nursing, medicine, social work, or psychology.
  6. Work or personal experience for which the applicant has demonstrated the knowledge, skill, ability, and motivation to meet the needs of a foster child with a level of need of 3.

Level 4 - An applicant for certification to operate a Level 4 foster home shall have at least 4 of the following:

  1. A minimum of one year of experience as a foster parent or kinship care provider caring for a child who has a level of need of 3 or greater.
  2. A minimum of 5 years of experience working with or parenting children.
  3. A minimum of 500 hours of experience as a respite provider for children under the supervision of a human services agency.
  4. A high school diploma or the equivalent.
  5. A college, vocational, technical, or advanced degree in the area of a foster child’s treatment needs, such as nursing, medicine, social work, or psychology.
  6. Work or personal experience for which the applicant has demonstrated the knowledge, skill, ability, and motivation to meet the needs of a foster child with a level of need of 4.

Want to learn more about fostering teens?

Curious about what foster programs are available in your area?