PATH Model
Over the years, PATH has developed a specific approach to foster care and family services. We call this approach the "PATH Model". Our model is clearly family centered and reflects best practices based on our experiences and standards related to foster care and family based services. In addition, the model reflects the needs of individual communities and our shared experience about what really works in building strong permanent connections for kids and families.
Treatment Foster Care
Treatment is Family Based
The PATH treatment program is centered in the foster family. The treatment plan is focused on addressing identified needs within a family setting. In addition, the foster family provides the stability and security for the child to experience success in school and the community.
Foster Parents are the Key
A significant part of the PATH Model is the active involvement of foster parents in all levels of agency activity. This involves a very real partnership between foster parents and social work staff. It includes foster parent participation in a range of activities from planning training to membership on the Board of Directors. It is most important, though, in planning and assessing care provided to the individual children and families served. Foster parents and families are a respected part of PATH, and they are treated as equal partners in the delivery of services.
Commitment to Permanence and Continuity
PATH's foster parents and staff maintain an unwavering commitment to establishing permanent connections for children. This is done through support of birth families, involvement in adoption or other permanent options, and active transition planning. PATH supports older children transitioning out of foster care through programs like Bridge Builders and Independent Living.
Support of Best Practice
PATH is committed to identifying and following evidence based practice guidelines. PATH was involved in developing the initial standards for treatment foster care and is an active member of the Foster Family-based Treatment Association. PATH is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA). PATH has been involved in research related to foster care and family-based services and continues to participate in ongoing research activities.
The following are the significant parts of the PATH model:
Foster families are treated as equal partners in the delivery of services.
Skilled and experienced social workers work closely with the foster family.
Foster families are organized in units of four to eight families.
The members of the unit meet monthly for share and support.
All families in a unit have the same social worker.
The social worker works with all the children with the families in the unit.
Children are carefully matched with families who have the skills and experience to address the special needs of the children.
A treatment team is formed to develop and monitor the treatment plan. The treatment team consists of the child's parents, the PATH foster parents, the referring worker, therapists, other people involved with the treatment plan.
Community resources are utilized as part of the treatment plan. This includes medical, psychological, and educational specialists.
The social worker and foster parents meet regularly to address behavioral and emotional issues.
Social workers are available for consultation and assistance 24 hours a day.
Foster parents and social workers document progress in the home.
Foster parents receive extensive training on working with special needs children and families (a minimum of 30 hours annually).
PATH foster parents are the primary contact with the school system. The foster parents work closely with teachers and administrators to help the school in meeting the educational needs of kids in care. The social worker assists at school as needed.
Foster parents and social workers serve as advocates for the child in care.
