What does it mean to be a therapeutic foster parent?

A therapeutic foster parent is part of a treatment team that works together to make a difference in the life of a child who has been abused or neglected. The foster parent takes part in setting goals for the child and works closely with the child's social worker and counselor to help the child reach those goals. Parents receive extensive pre-service training and ongoing in-service training. They have frequent contact with social workers as well as 24-hour on-call support as needed.

What kinds of children need Therapeutic Foster Care?

Typically, the children in TFC are experiencing a variety of emotional, behavioral, and social problems due to some type of abuse and/or neglect in their past. They have been identified as needing more professional support and treatment than they would be offered in general foster care, but do not need to be in the more restrictive environment of a residential treatment hospital or group home. Many of these children will have challenging behaviors and require alot of time and supervision.

What are the qualifications for being a Therapeutic Foster Parent?

Foster parents must be at least 28 years old, either single or married, with a stable home life. It is important to have some experience working with children, but actual parenting experience is not necessary. Foster parents can live in an apartment or a house. Foster children can share a room as long as they have their own bed. It is important for foster parents to have a flexible schedule so they can spend plenty of time with a foster child and can participate in his or her treatment plan. It is helpful to have friends and family to call on for support. The thing our children need most is someone who will stick by them when they go through some tough times. We want foster parents to make a commitment to keep the child until he or she is ready to be returned home.

What if the child can't return home?

Although children usually do return home or are placed with a relative, and foster parents are asked to assist the professionals in working toward that goal, sometimes children cannot return to their family, and parental rights are terminated. When that happens, the foster parents are usually given the first opportunity to adopt. Foster parents who work with our agency are given the option of being approved as adoptive parents at the same time they are approved as foster parents, in order to streamline the adoption process.

Do foster parents receive financial help to care for a child?

Yes, foster parents are reimbursed for a child's room and board each month at a rate that is based upon the child's age. In addition, parents are paid a monthly stipend for their services. We also reimburse parents for transportation to required meetings related to the child's care. The child's medical expenses are covered through Medicaid.

Click here for more information on how to become a foster parent.

For more information, in the Richmond area, call (804) 285-5900 or toll free at 1-800-528-1258 or send an e-mail to Richmond Foster Parent Inquiry. In the Roanoke area, call (540) 278-1623 or toll free at 1-800-342-0420 or send an e-mail to Roanoke Foster Parent Inquiry. In the Norton area, call (276) 679-0967 or send an e-mail to Norton Foster Parent Inquiry.