Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
therapeutic foster care
Specialized foster care that provides intensive mental health services and support for children with serious emotional or behavioral challenges.
Full Definition
Therapeutic foster care is a community-based treatment service that places children with serious emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs in carefully selected and trained foster families. Foster parents receive extensive training and ongoing support to provide therapeutic interventions and behavioral management in a family setting. This model serves as an alternative to residential treatment facilities while providing intensive clinical support and maintaining the child in a family-like environment.
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as TFC. Hyphenate when used as a compound adjective.
In Context
- "The therapeutic foster care program requires weekly clinical supervision of foster parents." — program requirements
- "Therapeutic foster care placements are designed to step down from residential treatment." — continuum of care
Also known as
TFC
treatment foster care
Contrasted with
residential treatment
Don't confuse with
regular foster care
respite care