Ok, so seriously.... WHAT CONSTITUTES CALLING FOR A THERAPEUTIC FOSTER HOME???? Please help....
I've decided on 'blog' names of Hewey (Boy #1 who is 4), Dewey (Boy #2 who is 2) and Lewey (Boy #3 who is 1). If you recall, I only have Dewey and Lewey placed with me. Originally, Hewey and Lewey were placed in a home together while Baby Lewey was placed alone. Hewey and Lewey's foster mother said that they fought violently and Hewey was constantly on top of Dewey punching and hitting. There were also other children in the house at the time and Hewey physically fought with them as well. The fighting was SO bad that one of the boys in her home had to walk around with a hockey helmet on and a stick to protect himself. So, after 30 hours, she called to have Hewey moved from her home. Well, here we are 5 days later and my question is...why did they place him in a Therapeutic foster home? What is done differently there than here? I'm hoping you all can help me out.
I am pretty sure that SOMEONE has the answeres I need.
Waaayy too much violence today...
I can show you the bite marks to prove it.
2 comments:
When we did therapeutic care, the requirements were pretty strict due to the limited number of homes. Generally, a child only went to therapeutic care if they were considered an extreme danger to themselves or others. For example, a pair of sisters who were 7 and 5 and had been severely sexually abused. They both perp'd on younger children and had tantrums so violent and severe that the older one had actually knocked herself unconscious before. They were one step away from residential treatment but a therapeutic home was cheaper for the state.
In our state, therapeutic homes are expected to be fully trained on restraints and how/when to use them. They must be a stay home parent family. They must have no bio/adopted children under the age of 10 in their home, they must be willing to limit the number of children in their home to 4 instead of the typical 8. One parent must be available to attend all therapy sessions, visitations, etc. They are not allowed to leave the child in the care of anyone who is not a therapeutic resource so no babysitters unless a therapeutic respite. It's quite involved and a lot is expected of them.
We had one child who was a boderline therapeutic case. He was 3 with RAD. He'd been violently abused and witness to horrific things. He was line of sight at all times in my house. He lived with us for 14 months and it was the worst 14 months of our fostering career. He could not be allowed near younger children, pets, strangers....but the state left him with us and gave us an extra $100 a month in board payment. Woopdeedoo. Insert sarcastic eyeroll here.
I never understood it myself, but maybe that was just NJ... it just never seemed like kids came out "helped" after being there. UGH
Sorry you are dealing with so much violence.
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