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Children's
Services Child & Family Services provides a variety of programs and services designed to foster the well-being of children throughout our community.

Family-Based Treatment Program

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Many children with mental health problems do better in non-institutional, family settings. Working within a home provides children with opportunities to remain connected to those they love and to their community. It also helps their parents to learn and grow from the assistance provided by professional parents and staff who are trained to meet the many needs of children in crisis.

Child & Family Services Family Based Treatment Program is designed to provide a supervised, highly structured home setting for children and adolescents with severe mental health, social and behavioral problems. Children in this program live with professional families who receive intensive and ongoing training. The program, offered through the NYS Office of Mental Health, represents an innovative alternative for children who might otherwise be placed in more restrictive settings, such as residential treatment facilities.

Outstanding Characteristics of a Professional Family

Parents who make the commitment to our Family Based Treatment program are people with characteristics conducive to supporting a child with intensive needs. They are families and individuals who:

  • enjoy children;
  • can handle change and the stress of life;
  • have a good sense of humor;
  • are willing to consistently track a child’s behavior and provide prompt feedback to the treatment team;
  • are flexible;
  • are willing to commit to team work;
  • enjoy learning;
  • can help a child overcome barriers to a successful and productive life;
  • have a solid and identifiable support system.

Families involved with the program are active in the development of the child’s individual treatment plan and work in conjunction with program staff and the child’s birth parents to carry out this plan.

What Kind of Support is Provided?

Each family receives customized services, including specialized training, monthly support groups, weekly case management, planned and emergency respite care and 24-hour supportive professional staff services. Initial training is provided by the resource team of Child & Family Services. Case planning and support is provided by the treatment team, consisting of the program supervisor, family specialists, family counselor and other mental health professionals.

Because there are significant demands in parenting the children in this program, approved professional parents receive generous stipends to help them meet the needs of the children in their care.

How Do I Get Started?

Are you willing to share your home and life with a child who needs you? You can make a difference in the life of a child! Consider becoming a parent with our Family Based Treatment Program.

Child & Family Services Family-Based Treatment Program
844 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14209
Phone: (716) 335-7210