Lutheran Community Services provides in-home services and therapeutic foster care for emotionally and behaviorally disturbed children and adolescents, ages 6 through 17. Tailored to the needs of each child and family, our services include therapy and case management, psychiatric medication management, parent education and support, respite and aftercare assistance. Together with the professional staff, the child and family members participate in a program of comprehensive support, known as “wrap-around” services, to prevent the need for hospitalization.

A Rewarding Challenge… Be a Foster Parent
Lutheran Community Services is seeking safe, healthy, nurturing foster homes for its Children’s Hospitalization Alternative Program (CHAP). Children in this program range in ages from 6 through 17 and have therapeutic needs that require special parenting. CHAP foster parents are trained in therapeutic skills, participate in weekly education support groups, receive monthly respite breaks, and have access to 24-hour a day on-call support services. They may be either single or married, and receive a stipend of up to $1500 per month.

In addition to the need for parents who care for children every day, there is a need for respite foster parents who provide care for just a few days each month. Providing respite care allows a more flexible schedule and is a great way to learn more about foster parenting without making the day-in, day-out commitment.

For more information about foster parenting, or to arrange a speaker for your group on the need for therapeutic foster homes in the Tri-Cities area, contact Laurie Schoffstall at 509/735-6446.