Therapeutic Foster Care

We Support Our Parents    

When you work with QYS as a therapeutic parent, you will also have access to a team of professionals who will be there for you and your child as you adjust to living together. We want you to know that parents are never alone and can call on support at any time of day or night.  

Qualifications to Become a Therapeutic Foster Care Parent?

We personally believe that there is a child for every home, and therapeutic parents come from a variety of backgrounds. You must not have been convicted of a felony in the previous five years, be a sexual or violent offender, or live with someone who has. If you want to have a child in your home, you must be at least 21 years old and have a bedroom where they can sleep. You will not qualify if you currently have children in the custody of the state. 

Parent Training and Education

We offer books, classes, and online training for our therapeutic and respite parents, so you can choose the method that best suits your needs. Training for parents can be completed at your own pace. Support groups, parenting classes, and online training are the means by which we provide our parents with ongoing training assistance. Since this is a team effort, we support you and a child with all of our resources during training, while they are in your home, and after they have left your home. 

Expectations of Children 

Every child has been through some kind of trauma. Children between the ages of 0 and 18 who require a placement are referred to us. We also have youths placed with us from other agencies. Children in our care exhibit a wide range of traumatic temperaments and behaviors. Some of our children adjust well, while others have more trouble. We will not place any child in your home unless you are fully aware of their background and our team feels like they are the right fit. We can work to place parents in situations that meet their gender, age range, or behavioral preferences.

We teach you how to promote healthy habits for you and your foster child backed by psychological studies and data. There are ways to help a child process and thrive in the face of trauma, grief, loss, tragedy, and adversity. Below are some of the methods we teach to each parent involved in our program:

Creating Connection

Children gain the sense of community and security they need to support feelings of self-worth, purpose, and belonging by being supported and maintaining healthy connections. You can do this by enrolling them in clubs, groups, school events, or sports that they have expressed an interest in.

Building Competence

By cultivating your child's abilities and strengths, you can help them feel competent. They will feel better about themselves as a result, and it will inspire them to be confident and step outside of their comfort zone. This results in the development of new abilities and strengths for the future.

Coping Skills

Anything we do to deal with emotional stress or complex challenges can be considered a coping strategy. By teaching children about the significance of effective coping strategies, providing examples, and providing them with opportunities to put their newfound skills into practice, you can encourage healthy coping.

Building Character

Awareness of one's own personal values, what is right and wrong, and how to control oneself are all important components of character. This is something you can verbally discuss with a child and that is strongly influenced by the example you set for them through your own actions. 

Building Confidence

Kids who are self-assured are more likely to persevere in the face of difficulties, are better able to recover from difficult situations, and feel more empowered to navigate new situations. By encouraging children to explore age-appropriate tasks to discover their gifts, you can boost confidence.

Allowing Healthy Control

Give foster children a chance to feel like they have control. They will gain a sense of capability and develop critical thinking skills as a result of this, boosting their self-esteem and competence.

Contribution Skills 

Children have a better outlook on the world when they are given the opportunity to give back to it. You can guide them to things like volunteer work. This also increases their willingness to make choices that improve their environment, which creates competence, character, and a sense of connection.