Family Based Treatent Program
What is the Family Based Treatment Program?
Many children with mental health problems do better in non-institutional, family
settings. Working within a home provides children with opportunities to remain connected
to those they love and to their community. It also helps their parents to learn
and grow from the assistance provided by professional parents and staff who are
trained to meet the many needs of children in crisis.
Child & Family Services Family Based Treatment Program is designed to provide a
supervised, highly structured home setting for children and adolescents with severe
mental health, social and behavioral problems. Children in this program live with
professional families who receive intensive and ongoing training. The program, offered
through the NYS Office of Mental Health, represents an innovative alternative for
children who might otherwise be placed in more restrictive settings, such as residential
treatment facilities.
Outstanding Characteristics of a Professional Family
Parents who make the commitment to our Family Based Treatment program are people
with characteristics conducive to supporting a child with intensive needs. They
are families and individuals who:
- enjoy children;
- can handle change and the stress of life;
- have a good sense of humor;
- are willing to consistently track a child’s behavior and provide prompt feedback
to the treatment team;
- are flexible;
- are willing to commit to team work;
- enjoy learning;
- can help a child overcome barriers to a successful and productive life;
- have a solid and identifiable support system.
Families involved with the program are active in the development of the child’s
individual treatment plan and work in conjunction with program staff and the child’s
birth parents to carry out this plan.
What Kind of Support is Provided?
Each family receives customized services, including specialized training, monthly
support groups, weekly case management, planned and emergency respite care and 24-hour
supportive professional staff services. Initial training is provided by the resource
team of Child & Family Services. Case planning and support is provided by the treatment
team, consisting of the program supervisor, family specialists, family counselor
and other mental health professionals.
Because there are significant demands in parenting the children in this program,
approved professional parents receive generous stipends to help them meet the needs
of the children in their care.
How Do I Get Started?
Are you willing to share your home and life with a child who needs you? You can
make a difference in the life of a child! Consider becoming a parent with our Family
Based Treatment Program.