Therapeutic Foster Care
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The Therapeutic Foster Care Program (TFCP) represents an alternative for children
between the ages of three and 12 who might otherwise be placed in more restrictive
settings such as institutional or residential treatment centers. These children
are maintained in the community in supervised family settings with "parents" who
have been specifically trained to manage their problem behaviors.
Clientele
Therapeutic Foster Care children are children with severe social, emotional and
behavioral problems. These children are served in supervised home settings in the
Therapeutic Foster Care Program (TFCP), a unit of Child & Family Services' Children's
Services Department. All of the children have been placed by the court in the custody
of the Erie County Department of Social Services (ECDSS) due to parental abuse or
neglect.
What Does the Program Include?
Children in the TFCP reside with "professional parents" for a specific period of
time. Individualized treatment plans, designed to teach alternative, healthy behavior
and appropriate social skills, are implemented while the child is living in the
TFCP home.
The program uses a treatment team approach in which the professional parents work
closely with a family specialist, parent trainer, program supervisor and consulting
psychiatrist.
The TFCP uses concrete behavior management and positive teaching skills to encourage
healthy behaviors in children. It emphasizes the importance of effective communication
and relationship-building capabilities.
Because the demands of professional parenting exceed those of tradiational foster
care, a significant stipend is provided for certified families.
Not everyone can become a successful professional parent. During the interview,
training and home-study, you and the program staff will discuss all aspects of professional
parenting. A mutual decision-making process will determine whether professional
parenting is right for you and your family.
Child & Family Services Therapeutic Foster Care
844 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14209
Phone: (716) 335-7210
FAX: (716) 882-1451