In this “Quick Lesson About Therapeutic Foster Care,” the author provides a description of, and background information on, therapeutic foster care in the United States, an overview of national statistics regarding therapeutic foster care, and an overview of the risk factors and symptoms associated with children in need of therapeutic foster care. The “lesson” also offers a brief outline of social work assessment to determine children’s need for therapeutic foster care. The document also includes a framework for care, a list of relevant laws and policies, as well as a list of resources. The document concludes with “food for thought,” red flags of which social workers should be aware when working with children in therapeutic foster care, and some information on discharge planning.
