What are the Different Types of Foster Care?

Most people, when they think of foster care, have a clear idea of what it is and what it entails. However, what you might not know is that there are several different types of foster care—all of which cater to different needs.

These intricate differences can be seen through Sevita’s specialized foster care programs.

• Foster care is not a one-size-fits-all form of nurturing: the needs of each individual are unique.
• You may provide support by fostering an individual that has a learning disability to reach goals of independent living.
• You may be providing care for a child that uses a wheelchair during daily activities.

At Sevita, we know that traditional foster care doesn't always provide the services that kids in care and individuals living with a disability need to live well. That's why we offer expanded support.

Here are some of the different types of specialized support services available from Sevita for kids in care, their foster families, and potential foster parents looking to get involved in building healthier, happier communities.

Therapeutic Foster Care

Sevita’s therapeutic foster care program matches foster parents with individuals to support their journey of healing, growing, and learning.

• Kids in care living with trauma may experience behavioral, emotional, and mental challenges during their journey to recovery.
• As a foster parent, you will help care for a child by helping them lead joyful lives filled with safety, and support to overcome past traumas through their stable household.
• A foster parent’s role in therapeutic foster care is more than a foster home — you can make a difference in the life of kids in care.

Therapeutic foster care gives individuals a safe home and access to the support they need to overcome challenges they may be facing.

The care plan for a child living with trauma is as varied and unique as the needs of each individual, but some of the support services involved in the healing process include:

• Individual and family therapy
• Trauma treatment and support
• Life skills training and support
• Case management services
• Medication management

Medically Complex Foster Care

Foster parents that provide support for children living with chronic illness, physical or behavioral disabilities, or other unique care needs are part of Sevita’s medically complex foster care program.

Foster parents partnered with Sevita undergo specialized skill-building sessions to prepare for and respond to complex medical situations calmly, including how to:

• Provide prescribed medications
• Operate support equipment
• Provide treatments as part of a care plan
• Set up appointments with health care providers

Medically complex foster care gives children living with unique medical needs the support and care they need to thrive.

At Sevita, we recognize that every child is more than the sum of their medical diagnosis — that’s why our program supports foster parents by creating individualized plans tailored to each individual. As a team, foster parents and Sevita care professionals provide kids in care with:

• 24-hour care
• Medication management
• Enriching activities
• Life skills development
• One-on-one guidance
• Clinical support

Children living with complex medical needs deserve a joyful childhood. Medically complex foster care provides an opportunity for children to thrive when traditional foster care programs are not the right form of care.

Kinship Care

At Sevita, we believe children belong in families. When an individual’s caregiver can no longer provide care, one option is to connect them to extended family to provide a loving home.

This type of care is known as kinship care, and typically involves a person’s immediate and extended family.

• In cases where a child receives foster care services, kinship care is the first option considered.
• Family support is crucial for building healthy childhoods and happy communities.
• Keeping a child with their birth family can reduce the risk of fear, confusion, and trauma.

Certain kinship programs, such as Sevita’s Kinship Foster Program, have a team of experts ready to assist in the transition. We provide the necessary support and skill-building sessions to ensure foster families can provide a loving and caring environment for children to thrive.

Host Home Care

For some individuals, the benefits of support from specialized care services don't end at the age of 21. Some individuals living with intellectual or developmental disabilities require a specific type of foster care to continue thriving in their lives and enjoying independent living.

• Host home care is a specific type of foster care provided by Sevita, where our host home providers open their homes and hearts to adult individuals living with disabilities.
• Host home providers in our program become trusted caregivers, friends, allies, and family by providing support and developing a special relationship with a person in care.
• This relationship and bond is the foundation of our host home care program, which helps individuals living with disabilities to enjoy joyful, independent living.

Host home care providers have many of the same responsibilities as other forms of foster care, like:

• Ensuring individuals in care get to appointments
• Providing nutritious meals and snacks
• Creating a safe and private space at home
• Assisting with transportation to recreational activities

Learn more about host home care here:

Learn More About Foster Parenting in Our Upcoming Webinar 

Looking for more information on foster parenting?

If so, our upcoming webinar can help point you in the right direction.

By attending a Foster Parent Information Session Webinar and learning more about the fostering process, you can take the first step toward becoming a foster parent and providing a safe, loving, and supportive home for a child in need. 

Sign up for our webinar today!