Joining the Ryther Family

By becoming a part of Ryther Child Center's Therapeutic Family Care Program, you join us in continuing to make a difference in a child's life. Each one of our children has suffered through domestic violence, abuse, mental illness, parental addiction or a combination of these traumatic events.

The children started working through their issues while in our residential program. They have had stability, caring consistency and commitment from the residential staff, perhaps for the first time in their lives.

By transitioning into Ryther's Therapeutic Family Care, these children continue their development and growth while maintaining their connections to their achievements. We hope that they will become part of your family and that you will become part of our Ryther family.

What does it take to be a treatment foster parent?

As a treatment foster parent through Ryther Child Center's Therapeutic Family Care Program, you have the opportunity to establish a long-term, caring relationship with a child who has suffered from abuse and neglect.

Being a treatment foster parent is a challenging professional role that demands these qualities in an individual:

• Patience
• Dedication
• Compassion
• Stable home environment
• Sense of humor
• Loving heart
• Healthy, balanced outlook on life

Benefits to Caregivers

As a treatment foster parent with Ryther Child Center's Therapeutic Family Care Program, you will enjoy the following benefits:

• Connection with a respected, well-established agency
• A professional level of pay that enables you to stay at home with the child
• Regularly scheduled respite
• Frequent visits and strong support from Ryther staff
• Careful matching of children with caregivers
• A collaborative relationship with Ryther case management and counseling services
• Paid training prior to placement of a child in your home
• Advanced training from recognized professionals in the child behavioral health field
• Emergency respite
• Flexibility and creativity in the menu of services offered
• Opportunities to network with other foster parents

The Application Procedure

The application and matching procedures generally take three to four months and include the following steps:

1. An initial telephone interview
2. A visit to your home to discuss what is involved in being a treatment foster parent
3. An assessment of your home environment, including a discussion of your parenting style and family dynamics
4. Beginning the licensing process, along with training and support from the Ryther staff
5. Matching you with a child whose needs fit the abilities you offer
6. Overnight and weekend visits by the child to your home
7. Signing of a contract between you and Ryther Child Center, specifying your responsibilities while the child is in your care and continuing treatment through Ryther Child Center

To begin the process of becoming a treatment foster parent with Ryther's Therapeutic Family Care Program, contact the Program Director at (206) 517-0295.