Summary:
This report details the pros and cons of creating a universal definition of Therapeutic Foster Care, as commissioned by The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations. However, the report found that because the needs of this vulnerable population are varied, individualized assessments instead should determine which services are necessary and appropriate, and a uniform definition could limit the ability of states and providers to tailor services to address these needs.
Application:
For those looking for uniformity, the report outlines Common Elements of Therapeutic Foster Care. Examples of Evidence-Based Approaches to Therapeutic Foster Care are also given. This report further makes the recommendation for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to help states design or improve the coverage and provision of these services as many of them are covered under Medicaid, as opposed to paid for as a bundle under the umbrella of Therapeutic Foster Care, which could be useful for States to learn more about.
