Types of Foster Care Homes
Not all Foster Care is the same. Neither are our needs for caring families to provide homes to waiting children and youth. Together, we work with families to identify the type of care best matches their current situation. Learn more about the types of foster care homes supported by Klingberg.
Therapeutic Foster Care/Foster to Adoption
A therapeutic foster home is approved to provide a nurturing home for a child, aged 6 through 18 (in some clinically intense cases the age range can extend from 1 to 21), who has been removed from their homes due to issues of abuse and/or neglect, or they are experiencing symptoms related to trauma, loss, or other behavioral health concerns. These youth typically have more than one social, emotional, or behavioral concern identified. These youth are ready to become part of a family with caring adult/s who will be patient while they learn how to trust again and will help them reach their potential. These youth due to their trauma histories and losses they have experienced often face academic, emotional, and social challenges and they need adults to believe in their futures. Families may identify being a temporary resource or foster with the intent to adopt, even if the youth is not yet legally free for adoption.
Medically Complex Foster Care
A medically complex foster home provides a nurturing home to a child from birth to 18 years who meet the diagnostic criteria for medical conditions that require additional medical training to support their healthy development. Medically complex children are often diagnosed with chronic medical conditions that need regular medical appointments and medications. These youth often have other social, emotional, and behavioral concerns other than just an identified medical condition. Additional training is required for approval as a medically complex foster parent which includes child specific medical training.
Respite Foster Care
Respite foster homes offer a temporary home to a foster child in Klingberg’s therapeutic foster care program in which a foster parent or family takes over the parenting responsibility for another licensed foster parent for as little as a few weekends a year. For example, if a foster parent has to go away on a work trip and they cannot bring their foster child with them on the trip the respite family would provide care for the child during the time when the foster parent is away on their work trip. Respite providers must meet all approval requirements, including training and background checks.
Emergency Foster Care
Emergency foster homes offer a short-term placement for foster child/adolescent for a 15-30 day assessment period while DCF is planning on a long term placement for this child. Emergency youth referrals are usually children with complex behavioral histories that need a chance to show other families that they have learned new skills and can be successful in a family. This assessment period allows the child to be presented in a new light based on how they are doing in the emergency placement.
Therapeutic Foster Homes for Victims of Human Trafficking
Klingberg Family Centers is seeking interested families who are willing to receive additional training to support the unique needs of youth that are at high risk of and victims of human trafficking. Staff receive specialized training to meet the support needs of both the youth and foster family. Families who are able to provide long-term, short-term and emergency care are needed.
Next Steps: What Is The Approval Process?