Across the country, the need for Treatment Family Foster Care (TFFC) is rising. Every day, more and more youth enter the foster care system with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges that require specialized support. These young people are in need of homes with caregivers who can provide stability, structure, and understanding.
At Cayuga Centers, our ultimate goal is to help youth in foster care find safe and loving homes and support them in developing the skills they need to thrive in their everyday lives. As one of the nation’s leading nonprofit agencies providing evidence-based foster care, we see the increased need for TFFC programs firsthand.
Why the Need Is Growing
Several factors have contributed to the rising demand for Treatment Family Foster Care, including increased challenges for families, growing mental health needs among youth, a shift away from congregate care models, and a shortage of available foster homes.
Increased Challenges for Families and Youth Mental Health
Many families involved in the child welfare system face economic hardship and limited access to resources. Poverty, unemployment, and rising inflation continue to strain households, making it difficult for some parents to meet their children’s basic needs. When a removal happens, many young people in foster care face social isolation and community disconnection, which intensifies behavioral and mental health challenges.
Additionally, as our awareness of mental health has increased as a society, so has the number of people diagnosed. According to the National Survey of Children’s Health, between 2016 and 2023, the prevalence of diagnosed mental or behavioral health conditions among adolescents rose by about 35%. These factors have created a growing need for specialized trauma-informed care that Treatment Family Foster Care offers.
Shift Away from Congregate Care
As the foster care system continues to evolve, one of the most significant changes that has increased demand for Treatment Family Foster Care has been the shift away from traditional institutional settings towards family-based care. There is now a broader understanding across the child welfare field that congregate care settings are not ideal for long-term healing. Research consistently shows that children thrive in family-based environments where they can build consistent, loving relationships and experience a sense of belonging. Treatment Family Foster Care bridges this gap, combining bundled services with the stability of a loving home.
Shortage of Available Foster Homes
Alongside these shifts in care models, the foster care system also faces the ongoing shortage of foster homes. Cayuga Centers partners with foster parents who open their homes to children and adolescents who have experienced significant trauma. However, the demand for qualified foster homes continues to outpace supply.
The shortage of foster homes is influenced by several factors, including the time commitment fostering requires, lack of public understanding about what the role entails, and the need for more specialized training to improve retention. While kinship care remains an option for some youth in foster care, many depend on the generosity of non-kin foster parent homes for TFFC placement.
Additionally, many teens entering care have experienced multiple placements or disruptions. They often need caregivers with the training, patience, and compassion to support them through emotional and behavioral challenges. While many interested in becoming foster parents have good intentions, some may not fully understand the depth of support youth in care require. Cayuga Centers understands this and provides comprehensive training to support its foster parents, staff available 24/7 and convenes a support group for foster parents to support each other.
What Makes Cayuga Centers Treatment Family Foster Care Different
Youth in a TFFC program are never alone and they receive individual bundled support services. Foster parents who open their homes with Cayuga Centers are provided with training and ongoing support to meet the unique needs of each child. They’re part of a team that includes clinicians, caseworkers, and program specialists who are available 24/7. Our model pairs every youth with a dedicated clinical and case management team that provides wraparound services, including therapy, skill-building, crisis support, and regular home visits.
The impact of this model is evident in youth like Olivia, a Pittsburgh teen who found stability after years of uncertainty. With the support of her Cayuga Centers foster family and care team, Olivia learned to manage her anxiety, rebuilt trust, and now thrives in school. Her story is one of many that show how Treatment Family Foster Care helps youth heal and grow.
Join the Mission
The need for Treatment Family Foster Care is greater than ever, but so is the opportunity to make a difference. Whether you’re a professional seeking a career in social services or an individual or family ready to explore fostering, you can be part of this important work.
At Cayuga Centers, we provide the training, support, and community you need to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Learn more about becoming a foster parent on our website.
