Foster Care

Who Are The Children We Care For?

Children up to 18 years of age who meet one or more of the following criteria:

	In foster care due to removal from their home because of severe abuse or neglect.
	Have not succeeded in other foster care settings.
	Displaying behavioral problems and/or emotional disturbances.

What Do Our Children Need?

Simply put, our children need good homes with loving parents. Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) homes offer children a stable environment and supportive relationships in the community to help them work on identified problems. The goal is to return them to their own homes or find other permanent homes through adoption or independent living.

How Can I Help?

Become a therapeutic foster parent! As a foster parent, you can make a difference in the life of a child. Upon completion of at least 30 hours of specialized training, and licensing your home, you will become certified as a therapeutic foster parent.

What Qualities Do I Need To Become A Therapeutic Foster Parent?

You will need a willingness for the following:

Learn and implement techniques in child discipline and behavior management in accordance with program philosophy.

Work as a member of an interdisciplinary team.

Be flexible in your time, child rearing philosophy and with other team members.

Help maintain a child’s relationship with his/her birth family and assist with reunification.

Commit time and resources to meet the demands of therapy, school and medical appointments.

Participate in scheduled foster parent meetings.

Provide transportation for your child’s appointments.

What Are The Minimum Qualifications?

A foster parent must be over 21 years of age, have a steady income, a valid Florida driver’s license, a car, insurance and a current background screening. Foster parents can live in an apartment, mobile home, condo or single family dwelling that will offer a safe and loving home.

What Is The Process To Become A Therapeutic Foster Parent?

Contact the TFC program at 545-6477, ext. 220. Ask for the Therapeutic Foster Care Recruitment Coordinator or Program Manager.

Complete all in-service training and licensing requirements. The process takes about one month.

What Support Will I Receive?

You will be supported by mental health professionals who provide in-home clinical services as needed. In addition, 24 hour on-call support is available.

Respite services, which give you a break from the responsibility of caring for the child, can be provided. Case Management services and linkages to community services also are there for you.

A monthly stipend ranging from $700 - $1,800 per child (depending on level of intervention and supervision required) helps you with expenses. A support group lets you share with other TFC parents. On-going training is provided to improve your effectiveness as a “professional parent.”

For More Information

Send an E-mail to: shannon@pemhs.org