As we observe Childcare Provider Appreciation Month this September, it’s an opportune time to highlight the invaluable role that therapeutic foster parents play in our community.
A therapeutic foster parent, also referred to as a therapeutic resource parent, supports the specialized needs of youth who require an elevated level of support outside of their home. These remarkable individuals are more than just caregivers — they are a critical safety net for youth who are navigating the most challenging moments of their lives.
The number of children in foster care in Hawaii and across the United States has been steadily increasing, with currently almost a half million children in foster homes. Without safe homes, only about 50% of foster youth graduate high school and very few graduate from college.
At Child &Family Service, the Transitional Family Homes (TFH) program on Hawaii Island stands as a testament to the significant impact that compassionate care and structured support can have on a young person’s life. Being placed with a therapeutic foster parent is often the first step on the journey toward healing and growth for youth that may face special emotional requirements, mental health or behavioral challenges, delayed developmental milestones, or behaviors that are not typical for their age. In the therapeutic foster home, they have access to emotional stability, educational support, improved social skills, behavioral development, and positive life outcomes.
What makes the TFH program so valuable is its holistic approach to care. Therapeutic foster parents are not alone in their efforts; they are supported by a comprehensive system that includes skills training, counseling, and clinical services, all coordinated through referrals from the Department of Health Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division. The program typically lasts between six to nine months, during which time these dedicated parents provide consistent supervision and unwavering support as the youth prepare for a safe transition out of the home.
TFH provides more than a temporary refuge; it addresses the root causes that brought the youth into care and equips them with the tools they need to succeed through weekly individual and family therapy sessions, and continuous support for the therapeutic foster parents, ensuring that each of the youth’s unique needs are met. In moments of crisis, the TFH clinical team is available 24/7, offering support to foster parents and providing the care the youth needs, no matter the hour.
The ultimate goal of the TFH program is to connect teens with a loving family setting, whether that means returning to their biological families, finding a new long-term home, or transitioning to independent living. The dedication of therapeutic foster parents is key to this process. They provide more than just a home — they provide hope, stability and model healthy relationships.
The impact of this work is profound. Many in our program have been successfully reunited with their families, some have gone on to pursue higher education, and others have found meaningful employment within the community, living independently with the life skills they developed in their foster homes. The time spent with a therapeutic foster parent, though often brief, can change the trajectory of a young person’s life forever.
Becoming a therapeutic foster parent is not just about opening your home; it’s about opening your heart to the possibility of positive change and healing. It’s about believing in the potential of every youth to overcome adversity and thrive into adulthood.
As we celebrate Childcare Provider Appreciation Month, let’s acknowledge and celebrate the therapeutic foster parents who make a difference in the lives of Hawaii Island’s youth. Their commitment and compassion are the cornerstones of this program’s success, and through their efforts, the future is bright with hope for every child in need of nurturing.
Are you interested in becoming a therapeutic foster parent?
Child &Family Service provides therapeutic foster parents with:
— 24/7 support;
— A generous stipend;
— One weekend off each month;
— A therapist and a life skills specialist assigned to each young person.
Child &Family Service will host a virtual prospective foster parent information session from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. Register here: https://bit.ly/3TxULt7.
Call (808) 323-2664 or email hawaiifosterparents@cfs-hawaii.org to learn more.
Rebekah Mraz is director of West Hawaii Programs at Child &Family Service.
