RATIONALE
A mixed modality model of treatment foster care is very unique, efficient and effective. This service model differs from both basic foster care and treatment foster care. It is important to know that the Treatment Foster Care: Mixed Modality Service Model is not simply treatment foster care nor a mixed modality model. Rather, when designed correctly, it possesses the best of both worlds plus much more. Rather than a child simply being placed in a bed, the child’s and parent’s support is a program.
Key aspects of the Treatment Foster Care: Mixed Modality Service Model include the specialized training of foster (house) parents, intensive support by the agency, inclusion of the child’s family in treatment (when appropriate), and compensation rates higher than traditional foster care but less than those in residential treatment. In general, this Model services children whose primary needs are emotional and behavioral, typically uses a behavioral, social learning, and/or systems/ecological treatment orientation. Nevertheless, the child remains in a community-based program with house (foster) parents rather than within a residential group setting.
SKELETAL MODEL
Harmony Youth Services is dedicated to providing quality, long term, specialized residential treatment for youth who have been labelled “hard to serve” ranging in age from 10-18 years. Each parent-model treatment home will accommodate up to four co-ed youths. In order to provide the best treatment, Harmony Youth Services will access all necessary services for each youth to achieve their full potential.
The Treatment Foster Care: Mixed Modality Service Model consists of an inner team comprised of the house parents (live-in) and a full-time youth worker (40 hours per week) within the home. Furthermore, this team is supported within the macro-management team of the agency, including clinical support and a supervisor. The team functions as a whole with treatment planning and processing being done together. Weekly (bi-weekly develops at some point within the process) clinical meetings ensure consistency, strong clinical treatment planning and ensuring the child’s best interests are being maintained. The CAS support worker will also be included at various levels (to be discussed) in this Model. Within the Treatment Foster Care: Mixed Modality Service Model, clear role definitions are maintained while at the same time a crossover of roles within the team model exists.
Harmony Youth Services is committed to bringing a much needed service to Ontario and all it's extended regions by providing quality specialized treatment foster care/mixed modality care.