FOSTER CARE RESOURCES Program Model:   Secret Harbor’s first steps into the community began in 1998 with the opening of Foster Care Resources, an intensive treatment foster care program.  This community component provided some transitional resources for youth in residential programming, but also opened the Agency to younger children and both boys and girls.  The Foster Care Resources program includes specialized recruitment and training of foster families who are provided tremendous support from the agency to serve children in family settings.  The Agency provides intensive care management for youth by being physically in the home of each child at least weekly to ensure safe and effective strategies for successful placement. Crisis supports such as 24 hour on-call response and respite resources help make this program successful by supporting the families during difficult times.  FCR staff is actively involved in advocating for appropriate educational programs for youth and interact frequently with the public school system in support of the foster parents.  Child Advocate staff aid foster parents by helping with transportation, tutoring or involvement in recreational outings with foster children. Essentially the FCR model of care involves providing foster families the resources they need to provide the children in their care the attention they need to grow and experience stability and success. When child's well-being is at risk, Secret Harbor's Foster Care Resource provides caring alternatives, including: Treatment Foster Care Regular Foster Care Family Support Crisis Intervention Training Independent Living Skills Counseling Chemical Dependency Services Short-Term Respite Facilitation of Parent-Child Visitations Contact our Foster Care Resources professionals at (360) 755-5700 for more information on placements or services. .

BECOME A FOSTER PARENT The early years create the foundation of a child's life. For some children the early years are filled with experiences that damage rather than nurture, destroy instead of build. These young lives charge forward in a misguided and tumultuous spin toward adulthood. We know that a child's life can be redirected; a chaotic tumble can be stopped. Foster parents embrace a troubled life and enfold the child in an environment of renewal. Foster parents provide a home where love and consistency are the cornerstones - where trust and self-esteem become the guideposts to success. A foster parent might be: A single parent A working couple A retired senior A stay-at-home mom or dad All foster parents have a sincere interest in children and the desire to help them create a better future. As parents they are patient, flexible, willing to laugh, and eager to learn. As a foster parent, you will receive the assistance you need to be successful, including: Weekly in-home staff visits to assist you with your foster child's specific needs Monthly respite that enables you to regular time off from parenting duties Assistance with transportation and recreation Pre-service and ongoing training Generous tax-free reimbursement Our professional staff is available to you 24 hours a day. In times of crisis, or when you just want to talk something over, we're only a phone call away. Become a safe place to create a future. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please contact Leah Dunn at (360) 755-5700.