If you’re reading Good Works, you might make a great therapeutic foster care parent.

Studies have shown that people in helping professions are more receptive to becoming foster parents. It’s likely that they also make good foster parents because of the knowledge they already possess.

Right now, many South Dakota children are waiting to get into Therapeutic Foster Care because there simply aren’t enough Therapeutic Foster Care families.

“If you’ve ever thought about doing foster care—or wanted to learn more about it—this is the right time to take the next step,” says Director of Community Based Services Chelsie Ogaard.

What is Therapeutic Foster Care?

The CHS Therapeutic Foster Care program was developed in 2000 to meet the changing needs of our community. The program provides intensive foster care services and specially trained families to children who would otherwise experience numerous foster care disruptions and require more restrictive residential placements.

Therapeutic Foster Care serves children who have experienced abuse, neglect, traumatic life events and, often, the loss of their family. Or, some children may have significant medical issues. Many of these children have built walls around themselves to avoid being hurt again. As a result, many have difficulty managing their emotions and may present challenging behaviors.

Because of their level of emotional and behavioral challenges, these children require more support and intervention to learn to live successfully in a family setting.

“As a Therapeutic Foster Care parent, you’ll be supported by CHS,” Chelsie says. “We serve our families as much as we serve our kids.”

In addition, CHS has a dedicated team of case managers and therapists. They’re familiar with the both the foster child and the foster family.

Chelsie explains, “If there’s a crisis, you won’t just talk to someone on call—you’ll talk to someone who knows the child and your family.”

Would I need special training?

All foster parents receive training. Therapeutic Foster Care parents work with CHS to become prepared to care for children with increased behavioral, emotional or medical needs.

CHS training is intended to teach prospective foster care parents how to help a child heal from their past trauma and abuse. “We believe very strongly in creating a trauma-informed, nurturing environment in our foster-adoptive homes,” says Chelsie. “You will learn how to be more than a placement, but rather to be a strong, safe, loving caregiver for these children.”

Parenting a child who has experienced trauma can seem overwhelming at times. “But you won't be in it alone. We are with you each step and at every turn to provide assistance, guidance, tips and training. Working together with you, we help children recover from trauma and prepare them for reunification or adoption.”

It’s a big commitment. Can I just dip my toe in first?

The first step is an orientation meeting in which you’ll learn how our state’s foster care system works. This meeting does not commit you to becoming a foster parent!

The second step is training. All potential therapeutic foster care parents must attend a minimum of 40 hours of training. At this time, we also complete a background screening and a home study.

The third step is licensing, which happens when you successfully complete the training, background check and home study. You are still under no obligation to become a foster parent.

Some therapeutic foster care parents begin with respite care, which is temporarily caring for children in another foster home, giving their foster parents a break. Other therapeutic foster care parents are ready to begin helping choose a child for placement.

CHS will be a valuable resource for you and your family during the entire process. We’ll provide you with referrals, information and tools that will help you become a successful foster parent.