Each foster family is required to have a minimum of six months experience working with special-needs kids to be considered for the program. Other than that, says Olson, we ve tried to stay away from any set requirements. We have seen all different kinds of people from all different kinds of backgrounds have equal success as foster parents. Specialized Foster Care is completely and utterly adaptable enough to meet a wide variety of individual needs. Clients range from infants through age 18, with a DSM-IV axis one or two diagnosis.
Some clients have a type of developmental disorder as well.
Services are provided on a needs-driven basis and are available in emergency, specialized and extended programs. Because there are no artificial limits imposed on the programs, services can evolve to suit the needs of each client. If, for example, a child receiving acute care level support has stabilized, we are able to scale back the intensity of services, and the child can remain in the foster home, says Olson. In that way, the services better meet the child s need for a permanent family. At the other end of the continuum, the program is also designed to function in short-term emergency situations.