Treatment foster care is a family home setting where treatment foster parents provide twenty-four (24) hour room and board, as well as therapeutic services and a high level of supervision. Services provided in treatment foster care occur at a more intense level than provided in foster care and at a lower level than provided in residential care.
Treatment Foster Care services may include the following:
- Participation in the development and implementation of the child’s treatment plan
- Behavior modification, community supports, crisis intervention
- Documentation of services and the child’s behavior
- Participation as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
- Transportation
Placement into a treatment foster home for children in the custody of DHW under the Child Protective Act is based on the documented needs of the child, the inability of less restrictive settings to meet the child’s needs, and the clinical judgement of DHW. See IDAPA 16.06.01 "Treatment Foster Care." Children not in the custody of DHW may be referred for Treatment Foster Care through Behavioral Health. Email yes@dhw.idaho.gov for more information.
Qualifications to be a Treatment Foster Parent
At minimum, a potential Treatment Foster Parent must meet the requirements outlined in Idaho Administrative Code 16.06.01.485 Treatment Foster Care.
- Must meet all foster family licensure requirements set forth in IDAPA 16.06.02 “Child Care Licensing”
- Complete DHW-approved Treatment Foster Care initial training
- Following designation as a Treatment Foster Home, each Treatment Foster Home parent must complete fourteen (14) hours of additional training per year as specified in an agreement developed between the treatment foster parents and DHW
- At least one (1) Treatment Foster Parent, in each Treatment Family Home, must be available twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week to respond to the needs of the foster child
- Provide a minimum of two (2) references in addition to those provided to be licensed to provide foster care. The additional references must be from individuals who have worked with the prospective Treatment Foster Parent. The additional references must verify that the prospective Treatment Foster Parent has:
- Training related to, or experience working with, children or youth with mental illness or behavior disorders
- Demonstrated cooperation and a positive working relationship with families and providers of child welfare or mental health services. IDAPA 16.06.01 “Treatment Foster Care”.
Additional requirements may be set by agencies contracted by DHW to provide Treatment Foster Care.
How to become a Treatment Foster Parent
If you are interested in learning more about or becoming a Treatment Foster Care parent, contact the contracted agencies directly.