Therapeutic Foster Care is a specialized level of foster care for children and teens who need additional emotional, behavioral, medical or developmental support.

Youth in this program receive individualized care in a family home, rather than in a residential or group setting. Therapeutic foster parents receive advanced training and ongoing support to help youth build stability, trust and skills for long-term success.

The Goal:

The primary goal of Therapeutic Foster Care is to provide a safe, stable, and healing home for children and teens who have experienced trauma — while working toward long-term permanency.

For many youth, that permanency goal is reunification with their biological family once it is safe and appropriate. In other cases, it may be adoption, guardianship, or another permanent living arrangement.

TFC is designed to do more than provide supervision. It focuses on helping children build emotional regulation skills, form healthy attachments, and develop the tools they need to succeed at home, in school, and in relationships. Foster parents play a vital role in that process by creating a structured, nurturing environment where healing can happen.

Ultimately, the goal is stability, growth, and a permanent path forward for each child.

You are never alone in this work. Therapeutic Foster Parents receive:

• 24/7 support from a dedicated Family Service Coordinator
• Regular in-home visits
• Access to behavioral health professionals
• Treatment team collaboration
• Respite care resources
• Ongoing coaching and guidance

We are committed to supporting you so you can confidently support the youth in your care.

If You Are Not Yet a Licensed Foster Parent

To become a Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) provider, you must first become a licensed foster parent in Kansas.

That process includes:

• Completing required pre-service training
• Passing background checks and home assessments
• Meeting state licensing standards
• Participating in home visits and interviews
• Preparing your home to meet safety requirements

Once licensed, foster parents complete ongoing annual training to maintain their license and continue building skills to support youth.

If you’re just starting to explore fostering, this is your first step. Our team will walk with you through the entire licensing process, from application to approval. We also offer virtual informational sessions where you can speak directly with a foster parent recruiter and ask questions about what becoming licensed involves.

If You Are Already a Licensed Foster Parent

If you are currently licensed and interested in becoming a Therapeutic Foster Parent, you will complete additional specialized training focused on supporting youth with higher emotional or behavioral needs.

This includes training in:

• Advanced trauma-informed care
• Behavior intervention and de-escalation techniques
• Crisis response and safety planning
• Understanding mental health diagnoses
• Medication awareness
• Collaborating with therapists and treatment teams

Therapeutic foster parents receive enhanced coaching, increased clinical support and more frequent collaboration with professionals to ensure youth and families are fully supported.

It doesn't matter if you are just beginning the licensing process or are an experienced foster parent ready to expand your skills, our staff will guide you step-by-step and remain a consistent source of support throughout your journey!

Youth placed in Therapeutic Foster Care typically:

• Have significant emotional or behavioral needs
• May be at risk of residential or congregate care placement
• May have experienced multiple placements
• May have developmental delays or medical needs
• May receive additional services such as Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)

Placement decisions are made based on what is in the best interest of the child or teen and are determined by a professional treatment team.

Therapeutic Foster Parents must meet all Kansas foster home requirements, including:

• Being at least 21 years old
• Demonstrating financial stability
• Passing background checks
• Completing required training
• Providing adequate bedroom space
• Using non-physical discipline

We welcome compassionate adults from all walks of life who are willing to learn, grow and collaborate with professionals to support youth with higher needs.

Therapeutic Foster Care provides:

• Smaller household size (typically caring for no more than two youth in foster care)
• Specialized training beyond standard foster parent licensing
• Structured support and consistent check-ins
• 24/7 access to professional guidance
• Collaboration with a treatment team

This level of care is designed for youth who need more intensive structure and supervision than traditional foster care provides.

In Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC), most homes are licensed for one to two foster youth at a time. This limit is intentional.

Children and teens in TFC have experienced significant trauma and need a high level of stability, attention, and emotional support. Keeping placements small allows foster parents to give each child the individualized care, structure, and therapeutic focus they deserve.

While it may seem like caring for more children could help more youth at once, the goal of TFC is depth over volume — building trust, addressing trauma, and helping each child heal in a safe, family-centered environment.

In some cases, exceptions may be considered (such as sibling groups), but maintaining smaller placements helps ensure every child receives the attention and support they need to thrive.