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Foster Parenting
Therapeutic Services Agency, Inc. is licensed by the Minnesota
Department of Human Services as a Rule IV Child Placing Agency,
which means that TSA is certified to license foster families in
Minnesota. TSA follows state rules and requirements in the licensing
process.
The Child Treatment Program and The Adolescent Treatment Program are
foster care based comprehensive treatment programs for children and
teens. TSA has been helping youths and their families since 1978
providing unique programming to meet the individual needs of each
person. Foster families play an important role in caring for and
helping youths in need. As well, TSA provides individual, group and
family counseling services. Other services are provided as needed.
Youths attend public schools and are encouraged to participate in
community activities, employment and other extra-curricular
activities. The goals of treatment are outlined at the start of
treatment and placement and may include: to reunite youth with his/
her family, help develop a family thru adoption, help prepare for
independent living etc.
Uniqueness of TSA's Foster Care
Program TSA
uses a Treatment Team model for decision-making. This model is the
heartbeat of the program in the delivery of foster care and services
to youths and their families. The Treatment Team includes the foster
family, individual and family therapists, mental health
practitioners, case manager, TSA social worker and the youth care
workers.
The Treatment Team meets weekly to evaluate, plan and implement
individualized treatment programs for each client. It also
coordinates the collaborative efforts with schools, county social
worker, families and others involved in service delivery to the
child/youth, which is so necessary in the care of foster children.
Foster parents and professional staff share information with each
other to enhance the overall treatment experience of the youth. The
Treatment Team shares in the day-to-day responsibilities, as well as
therapeutic decision-making regarding the youth. The goal of
treatment is to reunite the youth with his/her family.
Becoming a Foster Parent
Becoming licensed as a foster parent is an important and serious
process however it is not intimidating nor daunting. In fact, it can
be kind of fun and exciting! Of course there are important areas
that need to be covered to confirm the persons interested in
becoming licensed are safe, healthy and skilled adults who will
provide quality care, healthy and positive child rearing practices
and work well with youths in their care; as well as work well with
TSA staff and others involved in the youth’s life. As well, the
physical home where the foster parenting is provided needs to meet
standards of health, cleanliness, safety and provide enough physical
room for an additional family member. The physical house
requirements, generally speaking are no more extensive than what is
usually common in a traditional family home including: fire
extinguisher, exits/doorways from the house in case of fire, safe
electrical wiring in the house, a bed to sleep in and room at the
family table etc.
Licensure
TSA is a private foster care placing agency. This means that TSA is
not restricted to license only in the boundaries of Pine County. As
a general rule, TSA licenses foster homes within a 20-mile radius of
our office located in Pine City, MN. We need foster families in
close proximity to Therapeutic Agency in Pine City and welcome
families within this 20-mile radius to contact TSA for further
information. However, families living outside of this 20 mile radius
may still apply. PLEASE CALL us to explore the possibilities!
320-629-7600 or 651-224-4114.
Once licensed, Foster Parents can choose to provide one or all
of the following types of service:
Therapeutic Foster Care--Foster
Parents provide specialized care through the Adolescent Treatment
and Child Treatment Programs based on individual needs of youth. TSA
provides special training and ongoing support for Foster Parents.
Foster Parents are part of the Treatment Team.
Shelter Care--
Foster Parents provide temporary care for youth struggling with
family or personal problems.
Respite Care-- Foster Parents
provide short term substitute care for therapeutic foster care
providers.
Expenses/Reimbursement
TSA provides reimbursement to Foster Parents through a monthly
nontaxable reimbursement paycheck. This reimbursement helps offset
the general expenses incurred while providing for a foster child's
basic needs. Room and board and general daily living expenses are to
be covered with this monthly amount. Clothing, medical care and
medication are not the foster parents' responsibility.
To learn more about
becoming a Foster Parent please call
Wendy Rude Pangerl at 320-629-7600 or 651-224-4114 |
Links
Minnesota
Department of Human Services |