For more information, please contact:
Annie Meagle
Great Circle
Phone: 314-256-4943
Fax: 314-535-6632
annie.meagle@great-circle.org

Licensed Foster Parents Needed!

COLUMBIA, MO (June 4, 2010) – With thousands of children in foster care due to abuse or neglect, there is a great need for committed resource families to become licensed foster parents.

The Community Treatment Home (CTH) Program offers a closely supervised and structured home setting provided by families that are licensed and trained to care for and guide a child in his or her treatment program. The program benefits children who are in need of individualized care while working toward the treatment goals that enable him or her to develop positive relationships and skills necessary to transition to a permanent home setting.

The CTH Foster Care Program serves children and youth who have special behavioral, emotional, physical or mental health needs. This program works well for children who have successfully completed a residential treatment program or are in foster care, but need time in a closely supervised and structured home setting before returning to his or her family or other permanent setting.

Extensive services are provided to our CTH Foster Care Families by assigning a BGTM CTH Case Manager. CTH Case Managers offer:

• Additional resources for the child through weekly visits to the home
• Coordinates a strength-based team approach for each family
• Oversees the treatment plan
• Maintains monthly update contact with referring agency
• Coordinates therapeutic services
• Available to assist family 24 hours a day

Families or individuals who are interested in becoming a CTH Foster Parent for BGTM must meet certain criteria to qualify. The initial requirements are:

• Must be at least 21 years old
• No criminal or child abuse/neglect record
• Financially stable
• Be in good physical, mental and emotional health
• Home must be a safe environment for children
• Home must have available space to accommodate children
• Successfully complete all training requirements (if married, both must attend all required trainings)

We prefer that at least one parent not work outside of the home. Married or single parents who work outside of the home may be asked to provide approved alternatives for care of the child in an emergency situation.

Expectations of CTH Foster Parents:

• Committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment
• Provide close supervision
• Attend and become actively involved in required meetings
• Participate in the development of treatment goals
• Provide transportation to necessary appointments, meetings and daily activities
• Be available for emergency situations that may occur with the child
• Maintain required weekly reports, behavioral charts, etc., as identified by the     CTH Case Manager/Treatment team
• Work with biological family when reunification is the goal
• Provide opportunities for children to visit with family/siblings
• Work closely with schools to promote educational success
• Encourage participation in school and community activities

We encourage the following families or individuals to apply: experienced career foster parents or career foster parents with specialized skills in autism, special education, mental health, pregnant teens and teen moms, teaching independent life skills, sexual acting out behaviors, self harming behaviors, teen substance abuse and other similar specialized skills working with children. Advanced degrees relating to child or family development, psychology, counseling, early childhood education, special education, mental health, teaching life skills, etc. are a plus.

We are seeking ethnically and racially diverse foster parents. We also look for homes willing to accept Caucasian teen males, sibling groups and crisis placements.

We will provide:

• Training
• Monthly maintenance payment
• Fourteen (14) days of paid vacation per year
• One weekend (up to 48 hours) of respite per month

Becoming a CTH Foster Parent can be challenging, but the rewards of knowing that you helped a child through a very difficult time in their life will outweigh the challenge! Make time for a child in your life today!

Please consider becoming a Community Treatment Home foster parent to help the thousands of children who need the safety and security of a loving home.

For additional information contact, please contact Shelly Gooding , licensing and placement specialist for the Community Treatment Homes program at314-256-4917 or Shelly.Gooding@great-circle.org.

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About Great Circle
Established as a result of the merger of Boys & Girls Town of Missouri and Edgewood Children’s Center, Great Circle provides treatment, education, prevention and support services to children with a history of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect or abandonment. Great Circle’s mission to “reshape vulnerable lives through a community of partners, teachers and leaders, giving children and families the confidence to create bright futures” is fulfilled through campuses in St. Louis, Columbia, Springfield and St. James, Missouri. As one of the children’s non-for-profit services in Missouri, the organization annually serves approximately 7,800 children and family members and employs more than 700 staff members. For more information please visit www.great-circle.org.