Diligent. Innovative. Creative. Dedicated. Compassionate.

Are you interested in becoming a Foster Parent?

Are you interested in becoming a Foster Parent?

Offering a home to a child is not an easy thing to do, but the rewards can be extraordinary. Completing the form below assists us as you begin your journey in becoming a treatment foster care parent.

Please consider giving the gift of a family to a child who is alone.

 

LEVEL 3 QUALIFICATIONS

Shall have at least 3:

  • A minimum of one year of experience as a foster parent or kinship care provider with a child placed in his/ her home for at least 1 year.
  • A minimum of 5 years of experience working with or parenting children.
  • A minimum of 500 hours of experience as a respite care provider for children under the supervision of a human services agency.
  • A high school diploma or the equivalent education.
  • A college, vocational, technical, advanced degree relevant to child’s treatment needs, such as nursing, medicine, social work, psychology.
  • A substantial relationship with the child to be placed through previous professional/personal experience.
  • Work or personal experience for which the applicant has demonstrated the knowledge, skill, ability, motivation to meet the needs of a child with a level of need of 3.                                                   

If an applicant for certification to operate a Level 3 foster home relies on experience that meets requirements in subd. 1. b. or f. as one of the 3 required criteria in the above, the applicant shall also meet one of the criteria in subd.1. a., c., e., or g

LEVEL 4 QUALIFICATIONS

Shall have at least 4:

  • A minimum of one year of experience as a foster parent or kinship care provider with a child placed in his/ her home for at least 1 year.
  • A minimum of 5 years of experience working with or parenting children.
  • A minimum of 500 hours of experience as a respite care provider for children under the supervision of a human services agency.
  • A high school diploma or the equivalent education.
  • A college, vocational, technical, advanced degree relevant to child’s treatment needs, such as nursing, medicine, social work, psychology.
  • A substantial relationship with the child to be placed through previous professional/personal experience.
  • Work or personal experience for which the applicant has demonstrated the knowledge, skill, ability, motivation to meet the needs of a child with a level of need of 3.

If an applicant for certification to operate a Level 4 foster home relies on experience that meets requirements in subd. 1. b. or f. as one of the 4 required criteria in the above, the applicant shall also meet one of the criteria in subd.1. a., c., e., or g.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY TREATMENT FOSTER PARENTS

What do I need to do if my Treatment Foster Child….

  • Call the THRIVE Treatment Foster Care Specialist
  • Document all information in order to provide it to the THRIVE Treatment Foster Care Specialist
  • Offer an alternative (sandwich, fruit, etc...)
  • Document that food was offered and refused
  • A Treatment Foster Child must never be forced to eat
  • If the Treatment Foster Child asks for food later, food cannot be denied
  • Withholding food as punishment is not allowed
  • If it becomes a pattern of behavior a dietician or physician may be consulted
  • Document all information in order to provide it to the THRIVE Treatment Foster Care Specialist
  • Notify the THRIVE Treatment Foster Care Specialist
  • Remind the Treatment Foster Child of the consequences of truancy
  • Do not excuse the absence from school
  • Do not physically force the Treatment Foster Child to attend school
  • Restrict all activities if the Treatment Foster Child remains home
  • Treatment Foster Children are not allowed to stay home alone
  • If the Treatment Foster Parent(s) works, respite will be arranged
  • Document all information in order to provide it to the THRIVE Treatment Foster Care Specialist
  • In accordance with the law, children under the age of 18 are not allowed to smoke or use other forms of nicotine/tobacco
  • The Treatment Foster Parent(s) are expected to follow the law and must not purchase cigarettes for the Treatment Foster Child
  • Do not allow the Treatment Foster Child to smoke on the property
  • If the Treatment Foster Child chooses to smoke outside or in other settings, the Treatment Foster Child will be subject to local fines as a natural consequence
  • Treatment Foster Children enter care with many emotional issues. Smoking should not become a power struggle between the Treatment Foster Child and the Treatment Foster Parent(s)
  • Document all information in order to provide it to the THRIVE Treatment Foster Care Specialist
  • The Treatment Foster Child may not spend the night in anyone’s home who has not been approved by THRIVE Treatment Services. The child’s Treatment Team may collaborate to make this decision
  • THRIVE Treatment Services encourages the Treatment Foster Parent(s) to allow the Treatment Foster Children to have friends over to the Treatment Foster Home
  • Dating is dependent on the maturity of the Treatment Foster Child, the person the Treatment Foster Child wishes to date and the supervision needs of the Treatment Foster Child
  • This need to be discussed with the THRIVE Treatment Foster Care Specialist before a decision is reached
  • Treatment Foster Children are allowed to obtain a driver’s license with a guardian’s permission
  • Due to liability issues, do not allow Treatment Foster Children to use your vehicle
  • Some counties do not allow Treatment Foster Children to drive while in Treatment Foster Care, and Treatment Foster Parents need to check with the county for their specific regulations
  • Not all Treatment Foster Children will be allowed to drive; the decision will be based on many factors and will be reached by the THRIVE Treatment Foster Care Specialist and the Treatment Team
  • Treatment Foster Children placed in THRIVE Treatment Services Treatment Foster Homes must be supervised by the Treatment Foster Parent(s) or an approved provider at all times
  • A Treatment Foster Child under the age of 10 may not be left unsupervised under any circumstances according to the administrative rules in DCF 56
  • Unsupervised time will vary for each Treatment Foster Child dependent on maturity, history, current functioning and independent living skills (if applicable)
  • Unsupervised time must be approved by the Treatment Team
  • It is anticipated that Treatment Foster Children will test the limits of structure and rules during the first 30-days of placement
  • The first 30-days is the most critical time for the Treatment Foster Parent(s) to remain firm and establish expectations
  • If the Treatment Foster Child does not improve the behavior over a reasonable period of time, the THRIVE Treatment Foster Care Specialist will provide assistance to the Treatment Foster Parent(s) on this issue, as it will vary according to the Treatment Foster Child’s needs
  • Document all information in order to provide it to the THRIVE Treatment Foster Care Specialist
  • Document the behavior that indicates substance abuse
  • Try to approach the Treatment Foster Child to discuss concerns
  • If necessary, the Treatment Team may decide to schedule drug screens
  • If appropriate, the Treatment Team may refer the child for AODA assessment/treatment
  • Document all information in order to provide it to the THRIVE Treatment Foster Care Specialist
  • Treatment Foster Children under the age of 17 may not watch R-rated movies without an adult present
  • The Treatment Foster Parent(s) should view the movie first or with the Treatment Foster Child and use discretion to determine if the movie is appropriate
  • The Internet is a great source of information–check out www.tvguidelines.org
  • Treatment Foster Children under the age of 18 are not allowed to get tattoos or piercing without a guardian’s permission
  • Treatment Foster Children coming into care with a piercing may keep it
  • THRIVE Treatment Services recognizes that Treatment Foster Children need to show their individuality and will encourage alternative ways for self-expression
  • The Treatment Team, including the THRIVE Treatment Foster Care Specialist and the guardian, must approve any activity that is deemed to have safety risks
  • A release must be obtained from the guardian prior to the Treatment Foster Child participating in the activity
  • This policy may be applicable to other recreational activities
  • Notify the THRIVE Treatment Foster Care Specialist, respite arrangements will need to be made (the Treatment Foster Parent may use their respite days for this respite, otherwise the Treatment Foster Parent must pay the respite provider out of the monthly payment)
  • Unless approved by the Treatment Team, Treatment Foster Children are not allowed to stay home alone
  • Use of the Boys and Girls Club or the YMCA during suspension or school refusal are not generally appropriate options
  • If the Treatment Foster Child does remain at home, all privileges need to be withheld until the child returns to school
  • The Treatment Foster Child will also be expected to complete homework if able to obtain if from the school
  • Document all information in order to provide it to the THRIVE Treatment Foster Care Specialist
  • Notify the THRIVE Treatment Foster Care Specialist by following the Emergency /On-Call Procedure that you will become aware of
  • A THRIVE Treatment Foster Care Specialist is accessible 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year for emergency situations

Connect

APPLY

RECRUIT

INQUIRE