FOSTER PARENT RESOURCES
TFC TREATMENT MODEL
YBGR’s Therapeutic Foster Care Program uses a Trauma-Informed Care Model to support our youth and families. Trauma-Informed Care recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role trauma may play in an individual’s life. Trauma-informed care shifts the focus from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”. Trauma impacts brain development, emotional regulation, perception of danger, and more. By keeping this care model in mind, staff and foster families can more appropriately navigate youth’s behavioral concerns, leading to better long-term outcomes for the family and for the youth.
There are a number of benefits to using a trauma-informed approach, not only for youth but also for foster families and YBGR staff. Many youths with trauma have difficulty maintaining healthy, open relationships. For youth, trauma-informed care offers the opportunity to engage more fully in their health care, develop a trusting relationship with their provider, and improve long-term health outcomes. Benefits to Trauma-Informed Care for youth can include reduced trauma symptoms and drug use severity, increased effectiveness of services, and decreased youth use of acute care and crisis services.
To learn more about trauma-informed care, visit these external resources:
- What is Trauma-Informed Care? Learn More
- Trauma-Informed Parenting: What You Should Know Learn More
- Resources on Trauma for Caregivers and Families Learn More
- First Ever Study of Trauma-Informed Foster Care Learn More
FORMS
CFS Release of Information Form (CFS-LIC-018)
RELICENSURE
Foster families must be re-licensed reach year with the State of Montana. The relicensure process includes the following:
- Complete 30 hours of annual training of which 15 hours must be specific to Trauma-Informed care.
- YBGR staff will perform an Updated SAFE Home Study which includes a short questionnaire followed by a brief discussion.
- Satisfactory well water sample received (if applicable).
- YBGR staff will perform a home safety check – verifying the continued safety of the physical environment.
- Satisfactory Annual Name Based Criminal Check as well as Montana Motor Vehicle Check for all the adults in household.
- Review and agree to Foster Home Licensing Agreement.
- Submit updated Financial/Asset Statement.
- Submit Personal Statement of Health for all members of the household.
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Before becoming a licensed foster family, families must complete 33 hours of initial training (this total does include 16 hours of pre-service training with YBGR).
After initial licensure, families must complete 30 hours of training each year to be re-licensed. According to the State of Montana, 15 of the 30 hours of training completed by Therapeutic Foster Care Providers must be directly related to (a) the special needs of youth with emotional disturbances receiving treatment in a family environment and (b) the use of non-physical methods of controlling youth to assure the safety and protection of the youth and others.
Training hours can be accrued through a variety of mediums including books, podcasts, blogs, online training modules, support groups and virtual discussions.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Books:
The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
From Fear to Love – B. Bryan Post
The Explosive Child – Ross W. Greene, Ph.D.
The Whole-Brain Child – Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.
The Connected Child – Karyn B. Purvis, Ph.D., David R. Cross, Ph.D., and Wendy Lyons Sunshine
Podcasts:
