Foster Care Programs

Program Information for Counties

Why Berkshire Farm Foster Care?

As Case Planner we complete all FASPS, Permanency Hearing Reports, Assessments, and Monthly Treatment Reviews. We attend court and provide supervised visitation, family planning focused on reunification, and IL opportunities. We also assist or complete Adoptions.

Our well trained foster parents receive the initial intensive GPS/MAPP preparation program (which includes CPR/First Aid and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention), and we provide our foster parents with at least 24 hours of specialized training annually. Berkshire Farm is dedicated to providing our families with the tools they need to be successful for fostering; trainings are available for our families on-going throughout the year.

Foster care staff is available to provide support for our children and families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Berkshire Farm is committed to supporting and providing guidance whenever it is warranted. Respite opportunities are regularly available for our families.

Berkshire Farm has the ability to carefully match children and families based on the families’ strengths and the child’s needs; this is accomplished through a team approach that is determined by the County and our Program Coordinator, Home Finder, Clinician, and consulting Psychologist.

Berkshire Farm prides itself on our ability to individually tailor treatment planning; considerable planning within the first 30 days of placement occurs in order to link referrals to needed resources, design appropriate goals for our children and families, and initiate therapeutic and clinical supports.

Berkshire Farm identifies that the safety of our youth and families are of utmost importance. Children in our foster care treatment program have regular face-to-face contact with our staff at a minimum of two times per month. Children meeting the criteria for our therapeutic program are provided casework contacts four times per month. Children in our therapeutic program also have access to our foster care clinical services consisting of LMSW’S, Nurse Practitioners of Psychiatry, and Psychologists.

Independent Living (IL) Services are provided to all youth ages 14-21 in foster care. IL Family Specialists are identified to work solely with youth on issues surrounding independent living and transitioning out of foster care.

Specialized Clinical and Independent Living Services

Independent Living Program

• Individualized Independent Living Services delivered by an IL Family Specialist who provides additional weekly contacts and support to all youth ages 14-21
• Weekly Independent Living Groups
• Ansell Casey Assessment biannually and assistance with achieving individual goals
• Transitional Plans for youth aging out of foster care
• Youth Voice Questionnaire
• Regional Participation in Coalitions such as Focus on Youth (FOY), Youth In Progress (YIP)

Coordinated Clinical Program

• Full-time, on-site clinical therapeutic counseling services provided by a Licensed Social Worker (evening support available)
• 30 day clinical youth/family assessments
• Ongoing Clinical groups for youth and birth parents
• Weekly or Bi Weekly therapy sessions
• Consulting Psychologists providing clinical assessments, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations
• Consulting Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners for assessment and medication management