HRT supports the intervention of Therapeutic Foster Care (formerly HCTC Foster Care) as a way to merge the foster care programs and behavioral health. We believe the TFC program is an essential part of the continuum within both the Child Welfare and Behavioral Health systems, providing support for children with complex behavioral health issues. Our program is supervised by degreed professionals that have over 30 years’ worth of experience in foster care and behavioral health.


What is Therapeutic Foster Care (formerly HCTC Foster Care)?

Therapeutic foster care matches experienced adults with children with complex behavioral health needs. TFC providers offer their home and family life to children, while committing to working on specific therapeutic goals with the child. TFC providers are licensed foster families through the State of Arizona and abide by the 12 Principles of the Arizona Behavioral Health System.

What are the requirements to be a Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) provider?

Providers must have at least one primary provider that has a minimum of 1 year of behavioral health experience with directly with children that have complex behavioral health needs, a related degree and 1 year of experience, or a minimum of 1-year active foster care experience. Parents will be required to provide proof of this experience. Other Requirements are as follows but not exclusive of:

  • Level 1 Fingerprint clearance card and clean background checks, including public records searches
  • A safe and clean home that can accommodate children with complex behavioral health issues and meets the Life Safety Standards in Arizona’s Title 21 licensing standards.
  • Pass a home safety inspection conducted by the HRT designee and by the State of Arizona Office of Licensing and Regulation.
  • Complete extensive home study of the home and all family members, including a 10-year residential history, employment history, financial history and criminal history.
  • Must have safe and reliable transportation
  • Training requirements: Foster Parent College (30 hours),  First Aid/CPR, the Arizona TFC Curriculum (18 hours), psychopharmacology/medication training, de-escalation training, record keeping/ documentation training and quarterly ongoing/advanced trainings that may include the requirements above. A minimum of 24 hours of advanced training is required yearly.
  • And most importantly…must love children!

How is the licensing process different as a therapeutic foster care (TFC) provider?

The process begins similar to regular foster family homes, by completing an initial questionnaire to assess your family’s environment and basic eligibility. Then a member of our behavioral health team conducts an interview to assure you meet the additional experience and supervision requirements of TFC. See the training requirements noted in the above question.

How is therapeutic foster care (TFC) different than other levels of foster care here in Arizona?

TFC is a treatment intervention designed to allow children with more significant behavioral health needs to remain in a home and family environment while working on their goals.  This level of intervention allows children to remain in a nurturing and individualized family environment.

In Arizona, it is used as the least restrictive environment within the community, and the child must meet the minimum medical necessity criteria as determined by the child’s assigned behavioral health team. Children are referred to TFC to address their serious levels of emotional, behavioral, and medical problems. Therapeutic Foster Care is active and structured, with interventions occurring in the TFC provider family home while working closely with the contracted behavioral health agencies.

Regular foster care provides nurturing, safe, and custodial care for children who require placement outside of their families. The primary reason for placement in regular foster care is the need for care and protection. The role of the foster parent is that of caregiver and nurturer and does not include treatment goals. Treatment, if any, occurs outside of the foster home.

What is the average length of stay for TFC children? Where do children in TFC transition to after my home?

TFC is designed to be a short-term intervention and allow children to move back to a less restrictive environment. The length of stay averages from 9-16 months depending on the needs of the child. After the child’s therapeutic goals are met, a child may transition home to their family, to a regular foster family, a group home, or to an adoptive home, depending on their case plan.


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