How It Works
The Families First of Florida Specialized Therapeutic Foster Care (STFC) program serves children who are currently under the supervision of Florida’s Department of Children and Families, as well as those referred to us by Florida’s Department of Juvenile Justice. Our STFC program provides a necessary alternative to residential treatment facilities for children who typically need more intensive support and professional interventions than those in “Traditional” foster care settings. These children, who range in age from 4 to 17, may have experienced trauma and often have behaviors that necessitate the need for increased structure, supervision, and additional parent support. The Families First STFC program provides intensive treatment and clinical services in a home environment and community-based setting, with the trained and licensed foster parent acting as the primary treatment agent. Families First offers therapy, case management, specialized training, ongoing support, and financial reimbursement to ensure foster parents can provide the best care possible for children. Each family we serve is assigned an In-Home Clinician who will visit the foster family at a minimum of weekly and also provide a community contact on at least a monthly basis. In addition, the In-Home Clinician provides training and 24-hour support and intervention services for therapeutic foster parents.