You only need to read a handful of foster care blogs to realize that agency and government support for foster parents varies drastically. It also becomes clear that lack of support is one of the biggest sources of frustration for foster parents. Foster parenting is already challenging, doing it without good support is excruciating. This also contributes to the alarming fact that almost half of foster parents quit in the first year.
A good support system is even more crucial for foster parents who provide treatment or therapeutic foster care because of the increased level of needs and behaviors. Even if you have an excellent personal support system and community, having a supportive foster care agency will make huge difference in your foster care experience.
As a foster parent, I’ve been impressed with all the ways Intercept Treatment Foster Care goes above and beyond to support its foster parents. Providing excellent support to foster parents so they can make a lasting, positive impact on their foster children is part of Intercept’s core philosophy.
Intercept has a foster family support team that will be there for you every step of the way. The foster family trainer, family service specialist, and family consultant work with you to make sure you and your foster children have everything you need to thrive.
A critical way Intercept supports foster families is having a family consultant who is available 24/7 so you know that you will always have help when you need it. Having a caring professional always available to support you helps foster parents through the challenging times and lets you know you are not alone.
Another important source of support for treatment foster care families is the availability of quality respite care. Intercept provides respite care as-needed and your family consultant will help with the arrangements so you can know your foster children are being well cared for when you need a break.
Intercept also offers wrap-around services for foster children called the Lifebridge Continuum of Care. Having all of your foster children’s services centralized allows for better coordination and continuity of care. School-based services, home-based services, and community-based services are offered to meet the needs of foster youth where they need help the most.
If you are considering becoming a foster parent, great support is a critical factor when choosing an agency. If you are looking at Virginia foster care agencies, you will find that Intercept provides the best support in foster care, from excellent training to extensive ongoing support. Become an Intercept Foster Parent and discover why our foster families love life!
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