Therapeutic Foster Caregiving
Interested in Becoming a Foster Parent with Therapeutic Foster Caregiving?
Similar to general foster care, you would undertake the steps to become licensed foster parents. Once licensed, foster parents undergo specialized training and work with the program and government to transition children and youth to the foster parent’s home. Foster parents receive a competitive tax free per diem and compensation for this training.
About Therapeutic Foster Caregiving
Therapeutic Foster Caregiving (TFC) is a new initiative by the Government of Alberta to provide children and youth who are in their care, with a therapeutic family setting and supports that are child and youth centered and child and youth and family focused. Through these relationships children and youth can receive the support of the program and their case team to build and strengthen their natural support networks and culture and community connections. They can acquire skills to help them cope with challenges and achieve their goals and effectively transition to their “forever” homes.
Hull Services and McMan Youth, Family and Community Services are partners in the delivery of TFC services. Staff work closely with caregivers to support their work and help them reach their potential. Caregivers are primary change agents who share a passion for working with children and youth.
Who this Program Supports
TFC supports children and youth who are in government care and are referred by Children’s Services, Calgary Region. Children and youth with complex trauma come from a variety of backgrounds, and abilities. They have a voice in determining their service goals and who is part of their natural support network.
Our Approach
The program embeds trauma-informed practices, viewing behaviors as symptoms rather than problems. Utilizing natural supports framework strategy, we work collaboratively with other team members and natural support members to help the young person reach their goals. Key to this approach is the importance of building therapeutic relationships, having culturally rooted practices, and facilitating healthy positive connections that are self-identified by the youth.
We work closely with the young person’s team to: 
- provide a safe, supportive environment to help young people learn new skills and meet their potential
- help youth manage the transitions associated with a change in placement
- advocate with them and for their needs
- provide opportunities for youth to connect with their family, culture and community and to participate in activities of interest to them
- work collaboratively with foster parents, the child or youth’s team and support network
- support each child and youth’s permanency plan, i.e., reunification with family, placement with kin, or independent living.
- provide Agency resources, access to cultural resources, training and support for caregivers and the young person
- provide in-home support and after hours on-call support
We believe that all children and youth benefit from meaningful connections and deserve to grow up in a family setting. We believe that a team / wraparound approach is needed to help those we serve to reach their potential.
Committed to Excellence
As an Agency we use best practice approaches in our work with vulnerable populations, such as Dr. Bruce Perry’s trauma informed approach called the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics. Hull is certified in the use of this approach, which is used to understand brain development, the impacts of trauma, and promote healthy brain development and functioning. You can click here to learn more about Dr. Perry and his approach.
TFC staff are members of external governing bodies such as the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA) or Alberta College of Social Workers, and the Agency is accredited by CARF.