Trauma-Informed Care
Helping children who have experienced complex trauma
Trauma-Informed Foster Care
A significant number of children and youth coming into care have experienced trauma, often chronic and complex trauma.
A residential program that is trauma-informed has foster parents and staff who are trained to understand and manage the range and impact of traumatic experiences and the emotional by-products that manifest for children and youth in social interactions such as self-harm, substance abuse, interactions with law enforcement and other first responders.
These children are difficult to serve and require a very structured support plan which includes intensive help from trained professionals. Foster parents who have extensive experience in our Trauma-Focused Program can apply for additional training to care for these hard-to-serve children and youth. Remember, every child needs a home.
The per diem – amount per day, per child given to the foster parent(s) – is $100 – $110 (i.e. two (2) children @ $100/day multiplied by a thirty (30) day month = $6000 – or $72,00 per year. Some children in this category require such a high level of support that other children may not be placed in the home. For those instances, we request that the Children’s Aid Society purchase an additional space in the home which doubles the support and the per diem would become $200 – $220.
Expected Behaviours
Oppositional Defiance Disorder
Conduct Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Drug Abuse
Alcohol Abuse
Encounters with Law Enforcement
Absence Without Leave (AWOL)
Stealing
Lying
Hoarding
Support for Children and Youth
The first goal will be for the youth to be enrolled in school and speak with any relevant special needs staff at the school board. In parallel to school enrolment, a request will be sent to a community mental health agency to access their services. An preliminary assessment on the support needs of the youth will be completed within seven (7) days of placement to determine if any additional support is needed in the home. Additional support may consist of:
Child and Youth Workers
Funding for Immediate Psychological Services
Access to Community Support Programs (Drug Counsellors, etc.)
Educational Tutors
Physical Aggression and Personal Safety
Safe Harbours does not accept children who have high levels of physical aggression. Safety of the foster home is essential. When a youth begins to act out physically, a safety assessment will be done to see if it can be managed. If it is determined that safety cannot be ensured, a request will be made for the child to go to a more supportive environment like a group home. While we want to support children and youth with complex trauma history and mental health needs, we cannot put people’s personal safety at risk.