There’s a place for you, and support to match.
Therapeutic foster care is an option for caring adults who want to help youth with greater needs, backed by specialized training and ongoing support. If you’re exploring foster care, this path offers guidance, connection and a team that walks with you from day one.
Keep reading to learn if therapeutic foster care is right for you.
What Is Therapeutic Foster Care?
Therapeutic Foster Care is a specialized type of foster care for children and teens with higher emotional, behavioral, medical or developmental needs. Youth live in a family home, not a facility and caregivers receive additional training and professional support to meet those needs.
This option is often a good fit for adults who want added guidance and structure while caring for youth who need more support than traditional foster care provides.
Stability Creates Opportunity
Consistency builds trust
Is Therapeutic Foster Care a Good Fit for You?
You may be a good fit if you:
Are exploring foster parenting and want additional structure and guidance.
Have experience caring for children or teens with higher needs, personally or professionally.
Prefer caring for no more than two children or teens at a time.
Want to be part of a team that supports both you and the youth in your care.
Worried About Training or Paperwork?
It’s normal to feel unsure about requirements when you’re just getting started. KVC helps guide you through every step, from licensing to training to your first placement.
Smaller Placements, Stronger Support
Therapeutic Foster Care homes care for up to two youth at a time. This focused approach allows foster parents to respond to behaviors in the moment, build deeper one-on-one connections, and partner closely with treatment teams.
Why up to two youth?
Therapeutic Foster Care homes typically care for up to two youth at a time. This focused structure allows foster parents to provide the consistency, supervision, and individualized attention that youth with higher needs require to heal and move forward.
In some situations, exceptions may be made based on sibling groups or other unique circumstances. Your licensing team will work with you to determine what's possible and what's best for your household.
This intentional approach helps ensure that both you and the youth in your care have the support needed to succeed.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
To become a Therapeutic Foster Parent, you will first become a licensed foster parent in Kansas. KVC provides guidance and support throughout the entire process.
Step 1: Start the conversation
Reach out to KVC to ask questions and learn more about foster parenting and Therapeutic Foster Care. A recruiter will help you explore whether this path may be a good fit.
Step 2: Become a licensed foster parent
If you decide to move forward, you’ll complete Kansas foster parent licensing with guidance and support from KVC every step of the way.
Step 3: Complete specialized training
After licensing, you’ll receive additional, free training focused on caring for children and teens with higher needs. KVC helps you schedule and track training hours.
Step 4: Prepare for placement
You’ll work with your KVC team to understand expectations, daily routines and supports before a child or teen comes into your home.
Step 5: Ongoing support once a youth arrives
You’re never on your own. KVC provides continued guidance, check-ins and 24/7 support while you care for a child or teen in your home.
Healing doesn’t only happen in treatment centers; it happens at home, with people like you. 💚
Let’s Talk About Next Steps
Not sure where to start? A KVC recruiter can help you explore foster parenting and determine whether Therapeutic Foster Care may be a good fit.
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