DCCH Center has been operating a Therapeutic Foster Care program since 1999 and an adoption program since 2002 for families who are willing to provide children with a forever family. Foster families can play a critical role in a child’s healing process. When they open their hearts and homes to children in need, they embody the true meaning of a Heart Healer.

The primary goal of foster care is reunification with the child’s birth family, but when this option is not possible, adoption or independent living programs become the path for children in foster care.

Therapeutic foster care differs from traditional foster care in several ways. Therapeutic foster care places a greater emphasis on trauma-informed care because many children served by DCCH have experienced abuse and neglect during their childhood. Working directly with the youth’s care team, foster parents follow a coordinated treatment plan to support a path of growth and healing.

When reunification is possible, foster parents collaborate with birth parents to help ensure that children have a safe and nurturing environment as the families work toward reunification.

During a therapeutic foster care placement, children need to feel they are in a safe, healing environment where they can thrive. A structured routine is often beneficial to create stability, security, and trust.

Therapeutic foster parents receive ongoing training, remain trauma informed, and receive consistent support throughout their fostering journey. DCCH TFC offers monthly support groups for current DCCH foster families, offering additional support and a sense of community. During these groups, foster parents receive training, with childcare and a meal provided.

DCCH Center holds monthly foster care informational meetings to share information about the program, the need for foster parents, and to receive information for pre-service training to become a foster parent. The informational meetings are the first step in starting the process to become foster or adoptive parents with DCCH.

There is a great need for foster parents in Kentucky, and DCCH Center hopes to find loving families willing to open their homes and hearts to children in need. Follow the link below to learn more about DCCH’s Therapeutic Foster Care Program and updates on the next foster care informational meeting.