Foster Care

Foster Parents sitting on the lake with child

Therapeutic Foster Care Program

What is Waterford Country School’s Therapeutic Foster Care Program?

The Therapeutic Foster Care Program is an integral component in Waterford Country School’s commitment to children and families. The program provides intensive training and support services to mature, stable adults who wish to provide loving homes to children, ages 3 – 18, with special emotional and behavioral needs.

Who Are the Children Served by the Therapeutic Foster Care Program?

Children in the Therapeutic Foster Care Program have been identified by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) as being in need of a higher level of care than traditional foster care. Typically, these children have been temporarily removed from their homes by DCF due to abuse, neglect and/or abandonment and have been further traumatized by additional moves while in care. To meet the needs of these children, the Therapeutic Foster Care Program implements a team philosophy wherein professional support is wrapped around the foster parents to maximize the family’s effectiveness and the child’s gains. Such supports include specialized training and education in managing behaviors, mental health issues and parenting techniques.

How Are Parents Selected?

Foster Care Training

Our experienced team of professionals will help assess if foster parenting a child with special emotional and behaviors is right for the entire family. The first step is completing a PRIDE training program that meets once weekly for nine consecutive weeks. During that time, a trainer meets with the family, in the privacy of their home, to help assess the impact of foster parenting on the family. Background checks, required by the State of Connecticut, are completed on everyone in the household over the age of 16. And, a home study is completed that will help us make a match that is right for the child and for the family.

What Commitment is Required?

Therapeutic foster parents must be willing to undergo intensive screening, assessment and must commit to attending 27-hours of pre-approval training. Occasionally, minor changes in one’s home are required to meet rigorous State of Connecticut standards for safety. We ask all foster parents to make a minimum one-year commitment to any child placed in your home and to participate regularly in post-placement training. Most importantly, we ask that you provide unconditional love and acceptance to a child.

For More Information:

Therapeutic Foster Care Program
Waterford Country School
2 Clinic Drive, Norwich, CT 06360
P: 860-886-7500
F: 860-886-0500