Foster Care (TFC) provides the structure and support needed for a child to thrive when he or she is unable to remain in their own home. Our TFC homes offer children a safe place to grow and learn, with the ultimate goal being permanency. Returning children to their family is a high priority, but when that is not possible, adoption is sought. Whether you are looking to grow your family or simply provide a safe haven for children in need, you can make a difference in their lives. Our staff will work with you to license your home to help children in our area.

The TFC program utilizes a trauma informed care model with a multidisciplinary team approach including in-house social workers, therapists, and a clinical supervisor who will collaborate with a child’s school, community programs, and both foster and birth families. Our social workers provide intensive, specialized support, and advocacy for each foster care family and child in placement. The TFC program also works closely with the Respite Care program at Family and Children’s Center to ensure that TFC homes get additional support for both children and parents.

Our staff will work with new foster care parents to license foster parents. FCC is there for you by licensing homes, providing support, making referals and giving training to help support TFC parents. We work with you to find a match for your home.

What is Foster Care (TFC) and how is it different from standard foster care?

Foster care (TFC), also known as therapeutic foster care, is out-of-home care by foster parents with specialized training to care for a wide variety of children and adolescents, particularly those with emotional, behavioral, or medical needs. TFC is designed to provide safe and nurturing care to a child or youth in a more structured home environment than typical foster care. TFC providers are licensed at a level 3 or higher level of care, allowing them to help a wider range of children.

Foster Care (TFC)  Features

  • Bi-weekly home visits to each home
  • Highly trained and experienced level foster parents all residing within one hour of La Crosse

  • Individual and family therapy

  • Family integration through co-parenting and mentoring between TFC parents and birth or adoptive parents

  • Independent living skills training
  • Serves children 20 and under

Licensing Families:

Family & Children’s Center licenses homes to provide the best environment possible for children in Foster Care (TFC). We provide support training, a social worker will work with you to find a good match, as well as provide continuous support.

Providers are offered:

  • Competitive compensation
  • Free ongoing training opportunities
  • Monthly parent support group
  • Access to a 24/7 emergency helpline
  • Respite care services for foster children
  • Flexibility in determining best fit for children entering the home

FAQs

Foster care is temporary care in a family setting that is provided by licensed foster parents. Foster parents are partners to children and their families when a
child welfare professional determines a child is currently unable to remain in their home. Foster parents and child welfare professionals work together with the child and their family to make this experience temporary and aimed at supporting the family to make necessary changes so the child can safely live in their home and community.

At Family & Children’s Center, we provide treatment-level foster care. This level of care is designed to meet the needs of children who require specialized services beyond the scope of general foster care. This higher level of foster care provides vulnerable youth with the connections and resources they need to thrive. Children in treatment foster care have a variety of specialized needs. These may include: trauma histories such as abuse, neglect and witnessing domestic violence; emotional and behavioral disorders; complex medical needs; or developmental and cognitive delays.

Foster parents are adults who temporarily step in to raise children who have been abused or neglected or whose biological parents are unable to care for them. The role of a foster parent is to provide temporary care and as much normalcy as possible for a child while meeting their needs and ensuring their safety until they can be reunited with family or be adopted.

Absolutely not! Single adults may apply to be foster parents and you do not have to own your own home to become licensed.

During the application and licensing process, you will fill out paperwork and meet with a social worker from Family & Children’s Center who will complete the licensing process for you and your home. Some of the things to expect during the process include:

  • Criminal background checks
  • Reference checks
  • A home study to ensure that your home meets physical environment requirements
  • Completing trainings for pre-placement and initial licensing

Outside of supporting you through the licensing process, agency staff also offer foster parents plenty of support so they can provide stability to the children in their care. Before foster parents even take placement of their first foster child, the agency staff will work with them to understand who they may best serve and to identify and provide the supports necessary to meet a child’s specific needs. Foster parents can also participate in foster parent support groups at a local community or state-wide level as well as expect regular check-ins and visits with the program’s social worker.

A staff member from Family & Children’s Center will be in touch with you soon to schedule a time to talk more about the foster care program and to walk you through the licensing process. If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Program Coordinator via phone or email:

Louise Campbell
Family & Children’s Center
Program Coordinator
(608) 785-0001 or lcampbell@fccnetwork.org

Ready to Get Started?

To make a referral to Foster Care (TFC) in Wisconsin or Minnesota or to learn how to be a Foster Parent, contact Louise Campbell by phone at (608) 785-0001 or by email at lcampbell@fccnetwork.org