Community Based Services recently began a campaign to recruit new families to provide Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC).

The need in South Dakota for foster families in general, and TFC families in particular, is staggering. Last year CHS received 196 referrals for TFC and could only accept nine of those for placement.

TFC provides a higher level of care for children with more identified behavioral or emotional needs, or in some cases medical issues. The TFC parents, in turn, receive more training so they can respond to the children’s needs. TFC parents also receive a great deal of assistance from CHS, including individual and family therapy, family support, ongoing education and 24/7 access.

The campaign includes:

• A landing page/microsite where viewers can learn more and sign up to begin the TFC inquiry process: HelpSDChildren.org
• In-person presentations and events
• A booth backdrop for the events and smaller display signs
• Stickers to give away at events
• A branded computer plug-in device to give away at events
• A TFC brochure
• A “Care Manifesto” flyer stating the qualities CHS looks for in foster parents
• A video about TFC, which will reside on the landing page
• Additional shorter videos
• Social media posts and ads

You can view the landing page and learn about TFC at HelpSDChildren.org. All of the materials include this URL, so there is a central point for the campaign where visitors can find comprehensive information and inquire about training.

The target market for the campaign is people who are in helping professions—such as folks who work for CHS. Please let your friends or family know about the need for TFC providers, and if you are part of a church or civic group that wants to know more, contact anyone in Community Based Services to set up a presentation.

In addition, sharing TFC social media posts on your own timelines helps increase reach tremendously. You’ll find organic and paid posts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.