DRAFT ENHANCED FOSTER HOME (EFH) Eckerd Youth Alternative Teen Foster Home Initiative Teen Foster Homes are challenging on several different levels. Teens come into Foster Care with a strong desire for Independence, but they quite often lack the necessary Interpersonal Skills and/or level of maturity that many of their peers possess. Teens coming into Foster Care bring with them, there own unique set of challenges. Many times this involves the authorities in their lives. However, most teens entering into Foster Care are really no different than any average Teenager. They are trying to figure out who they are and who they want to become. They question much of what they are told and they continue searching for answers. Some become angry and display that anger in a variety of ways while others simply “Shut Down”. Some Teens have actually been “Caregivers” to their siblings or even to a parent and therefore they do not always feel as though they themselves need to be “Cared For”. Regardless of the various needs that are unique to our Teen Population, in many ways our teens in care are no different than the average teenager in that they need to know that they will be loved and nurtured and that their Foster Parent will be patient, understanding and compassionate towards them.

DRAFT Because Teens in Foster Care have very unique needs it means that the Foster Parents caring for them need to have there own special skill sets. Foster Parents to our Teenagers need to know that they are being properly supported during the process of caring for the Teens in their care. With this in mind the Enhanced Foster Home will look different than the Traditional Foster Home as follows: 1. There will only be one (1) Case Manager per Enhanced Foster Home (EFH). The One Case Manager rule will remain in place even if a home has multiple Case Management Organizations (CMO’s) in the home. 2. Each EFH will be assigned a single Therapist along with a Behavioral Analyst to work with each teen living in that home. 3. Every EFH will have a Training Specialist assigned to the home. 4. There will be Specialized Respite Care available to each EFH. Specialized Respite Care will be in place to provide specific Support Systems for the Foster Parents. 5. Enhanced Foster Homes will receive additional funding. This additional funding will come in the form of an increased Board Rate for Foster Parents working with our Teen Population.

DRAFT Staffing and Review Periods: The Licensing Coordinator and Licensing Supervisor will assess the EFH on a Monthly basis. Responsibilities, Expectations and Requirements of the EFH: 1. The EFH parents must attend all school conferences, meetings and IEP staffing. 2. The EFH parents must engage and participate in all In-Home Treatment Services. 3. The EFH parents must obtain a minimum of 24 in service annual training hours. 4. The EFH parents will work together in a supportive relationship to make decisions, carry out action plans and ensure that all services are being accepted and goals are being met. 5. Foster Parents must participate in the Pinellas-Pasco Foster and Adoptive Parent Association. 6. Foster Parents must be acting members of the Foster Parent Task Force. 7. Foster Parents must be willing to work with Biological Families.

DRAFT Responsibilities, Expectations and Requirements of the CMA/CMO: 1. The CMA/CMO will be available and will offer supportive services in the home on a regular basis, as needed. 2. The CMA/CMO will provide 24 hour on call services. 3. The CMA/CMO will support the EFH with services for the Teen(s) by formulating a Treatment Plan based upon the needs of the Teen(s). The CMA/CMO will make sure that the treatment plan for the teen(s) is based upon the needs of said Teen(s). 4. Clinical and Behavioral support services will be coordinated with the CMA/CMO and the EFH to ensure that the Teenagers physical, emotional, social and psychological needs are being met. This may include but is not limited to Therapy and Counseling. Sessions, visitation with family, mentors, medical and mental health appointments, independent living services, court hearings, staffing, educational needs and extra curricular activities.

DRAFT Responsibilities, Expectations and Requirements of the CBC: 1. Enhanced Board Rates will be provided commensurate with the services provided by the Foster Family. 2. A Behavioral Analyst will be assigned to each home for assistance as needed. 3. The EFH will have emergency services available to assist them in the form of 24 hour on call staff. 4. Licensing will assist the EFH in identifying adequate trainings to meet their needs.