Become A Foster Parent
Treatment Foster Care is a level of in-home care for children and youth whose needs are not able to be adequately met in many traditional foster care settings. Yet family environment is preferred for them rather than placement in an institutional setting.
PATH foster parents are licensed to provide treatment foster care. PATH recruits people who have the capacity to provide care and treatment to children placed in their homes. Each foster parent participates in regular support group meetings and educational opportunities designed to better prepare them for the specific needs of youth in their care.
Treatment foster families are reimbursed for their care by referring counties through PATH.
People interested in being licensed for treatment foster care through PATH ideally have previous foster care experience, or related work experience, or special skills in working with children, or the ability and willingness to get the necessary education to develop special skills.
In addition, PATH foster parents must demonstrate the following capabilities:
Compassion and patience for working with children of different ages, ethnic groups, socio-economic backgrounds, and with multiple/complex issues and behavioral challenges
Strong parenting skills and the willingness and ability to work as a team member with social workers, probation officers, educators, and other human service professionals. Ability to work with the foster child's birth or adoptive parents
Respite Care is a type of care given to a child who requires constant supervision and/or specialized services, during a time when the foster parents need a break from the round the clock responsibilities. During this time, the foster parents are temporarily relieved of their duties in order to rest and refresh themselves.
Many people new to treatment foster care begin as respite providers for a real time experience for discerning their readiness for full-time commitment. They are well oriented and supported in their service, receive per-day rate reimbursement and participate in PATH sponsored support and education meetings.
For more information about becoming a treatment foster parent or respite foster parent contact your local PATH office.
