Description
The Pressley Ridge Treatment Foster Care (PR-TFC) program is designed to provide intensive, effective, and short-term treatment to youth ages 12 – 18 with emotional and behavior problems in a home environment with the foster parent as the primary agent of change. The model uses treatment foster parents who are given advanced clinical and technical training and support in order to best serve the youth placed in their home. Treatment is guided by a treatment plan that is implemented by the treatment parents. The treatment plan consists of goals tailored to each youth’s needs and problems. The PR-TFC model has three basic tenants: (1) youth troubled behavior can change, (2) foster parents can learn to change youth behavior, and (3) treatment is teaching skills for effective living.
This program is provided 24/7 in the home of a certified trained treatment foster family. Individual therapy is provided at least 1 hour per week to the youth in care. The Treatment Coordinator has weekly 1-hour contact with the youth and foster family. Weekly contact to the biological family is also made. Usual length of youth stay is around 12 months. Treatment foster parents are trained in: Therapeutic parenting skills, trauma-informed child development, understanding and changing behavior, de-escalation and motivation techniques, communication skills, problem-solving strategies, and CPR and first aid.
Assist the youth to obtain permanency primarily by returning the youth to his/her family of origin; Assist the youth in developing effective skills for living (communication, conflict resolution, coping skills, peer relationships, etc.); Assist the youth in managing his/her life in the present and future (preparing for independent living, managing daily stressors, etc.); Assist the youth in making positive changes towards his/her targeted goals.
