North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) recognizes that every child and youth deserves to be supported in a family-like, home-based environment as close to their community as possible. This fundamental belief is critical; the decision that a child or youth needs to be removed from their home to ensure their well-being can either improve or diminish their well-being and long-term outcomes.
The Therapeutic Family Home Program (TFHP) model is a voluntary program that provides clinical intervention in specifically-trained family homes for children and youth with behavioural and/or emotional health needs. TFHP homes provide a safe and nurturing sense of home to a child/youth in a more structured and therapeutic home environment. Planning is reflective of the social, linguistic and cultural diversities of families.
Who are the Children and Youth in the Therapeutic Family Home Program?
Children and youth in the program are aged 5-17 years old, reside in the Districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming and are experiencing behavioural and/or mental health needs requiring intensive family-based care. Placement is typically scheduled for 12 months, with the option of extending. Referrals are only accepted from an existing and involved NEOFACS service and are facilitated by a committee.
Why the TFHP?
- The TFHP model promotes identification, assessment and support of mental health and well-being.
- TFHP blends best practices and outcomes from traditional family-based out-of-home placements and live-in treatments in a safe, nurturing, consistent, supervised, supportive and structured family environment.
- TFHP keeps children and youth in their communities and allows the child/youth to continue to receive education, mental health, social and health services without disruption.
- The TFHP model promotes healthy relationships.
Who are TFHP Parents?
TFHP House Parents are caring and qualified foster parents in our communities who have chosen to share their life and home with children and youth in need of intensive family-based care. TFHP House Parents have a sound understanding of the continuum of care and work within a multi-disciplinary team to deliver a personalized approach or treatment plan specific to the child or youth.
What Kind of Support is Available?
Services offered are child- and youth-centred, therapeutic, family-based and provided by skilled professionals. At least one of the TFHP homes is a bilingual home.
- Counselling and therapy services
- Medical, psychiatric and psychological consultation
- Intervention based on evidence-based programs
- Crisis support & 24 hour / after-hours support
- On-going caregiver training and in-home support
- Inclusion of parents/legal guardians in care and treatment
- Life-skills and pro-social skills development
Contact Information
If you are interested in becoming a Therapeutic Family Home provider, please call 705-360-7100 ext. 5719.