Treatment Levels

A standardized needs assessment scale, the "Child Severity of Psychiatric Illness" (CSPI) is used by the State of Missouri, Division of Family Services, to determine that classification of "need level". The most severe need classification is "Intensive Need", or "Level IV". Level III classifies a "Severe Need", and Level II a "Moderate Need". BYS serves children at Levels III and IV in specialized Residential Treatment Homes, and serves children at Level II in Therapeutic Foster Homes and in Transported Day Treatment programs.

Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC)

Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) at BYS has been under development since 1992, as a less restrictive choice to more structured residential (live-in) programs. Butterfield's foster care program accepts children who are entering their first level of structured care as well as children who are being "stepped down" into a less restrictive treatment setting. Children needing a Therapeutic Foster Home come predominantly from homes where existing circumstances significantly inhibit healthy care and normal growth for the child.

Many of these children carry the scars of abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment. Effective foster parents realize that emotionally disturbed children often require fresh initiatives and specialized interventions to help stabilize their adjustments and to promote their further growth. With the help of the foster parent, a foster child can learn to trust, use good judgment, improve their self esteem, resolve conflicts, and planfully respond to opportunities and life situations.

Therapeutic Foster Care combines the benefits of a healthy functioning foster family with an array of specialized supportive services. The TFC home offers the child a chance to experience a family centered environment. Foster parents enjoy membership on a professional care team and benefit from an improved payment plan for their services.

Qualifying foster parents understand that the children they accept into their homes are experiencing behavioral and emotional symptoms that require specialized treatment interventions. Foster parents do not excuse problem behaviors, but offer substantial resources and defined strategies to overcome them.

The foster family provides consistent care and oversight for the child, as well as specialized education and treatment. TFC parents serve as role models, parenting care takers, disciplinarians, mentors, and treatment team members serving the children in their care. As members of a professional treatment team, foster parents communicate closely with BYS staff to regularly review and plan for the child's ongoing care and treatment.

Prior to accepting children into their home, foster parents receive extensive qualifying training. Once certified and participating in the program, foster parents are provided ongoing in-service education.

Therapeutic Foster Care homes are provided with access to the full range of BYS agency services and supports as needed for the child. These services include:

individual treatment planning for each child
clinical treatment services (individual and family therapy) as needed
specialized educational assistance and support services
specialized recreational and art services
residential respite services
case management services
24 hour agency oversight and emergency response team
access to professional consultation and support

To apply to become foster parents, persons must:

be at least 21 years of age
have an existing family income
have enough living space to house a foster child
have a desire to help troubled youth

Butterfield Youth Services will consider single foster parent applicants on a case by case basis.

For more information or questions you may have contact Sheila Stephenson at SheilaStephenson@bys-kids.org .