A safe haven, a loving space, a home: this is what every child and adolescent deserves. For children and adolescents with special needs, this is particularly true, but sometimes, biological families just aren't able to provide the care and support these individuals need. That's where the Therapeutic Foster Care program can help.
Drawing on the expertise of an interdisciplinary team, we train and support foster, respite, and adoptive families of children and adolescents with special needs. Families participating in the program receive specialized training and general support, including group meetings, social work services, and respite care.
But we can't do it without people like you.
We know some people may worry they don't have the right skills to be a treatment foster or adoptive parent, but with the Kennedy Krieger team to support you, all you need to get started is the capacity to love and care for a child or adolescent. We provide our treatment parents with specialized training and support, including respite care and 24 hour on call support.
No matter how much time you have, you can help.
Even if you don't think you're ready to become a treatment or adoptive parent, you can provide respite care for a day or a weekend. All it takes is a little bit of your time to make a big difference in the lives of these children and adolescents.
The rewards are greater than you can imagine.
Our families can tell some amazing stories, from individuals with severe behavior problems who once had trouble with simple social interaction but went on to graduate from college to medically fragile children who are riding bikes and running around, absolutely carefree. They say that these moments, these little miracles, are their biggest reward.
As a part of the Kennedy Krieger Therapeutic Foster Care program, you don't have to be a hero to help one.
Interested in Learning More? Download our Pre-Service Inquiry Form.