What makes us “Specialized?” Training and supporting foster parents are the heart of our program. Our foster parents are committed to accepting troubled children into their homes, providing a safe, nurturing environment, and persevering in teaching those children more effective skills to get their needs met. Foster parents at KHDS work cooperatively with birth parents, relatives, and other agencies to achieve the best possible relationship.

Our training is independent and includes several philosophies that give clinical understanding and make each parent fully a part of the treatment team. The entire team at Specialized Foster Care participates in training, giving potential foster parents a thorough understanding of our agency and the people who will be supporting them.

Every home is supported by a Consultant who meets regularly in and outside your home, helping implement the treatment skills learned in training and offering 24/7 support as you need it. Consultants and the rest of the team provide a monthly support group including dinner and childcare as well as ongoing education required by the state.

Our Specialized Foster Care program continues to maintain international recognition as a Certified Sponsor Site of the Teaching Family Association. This means we meet internationally recognized standards for excellence in training, consultation, evaluation, and supportive administration. All this provides ever better service to foster children and their families. Foster parents work toward certification as Professional Foster Parents by the International Teaching Family Association.