Foster Care
It is healthy and beneficial to all to form an attachment to a child in your care. Making healthy connections allows children and families to learn to trust one another ultimately leading to positive growth and development. The very nature of foster care is that of being a temporary placement for children. Our goal is to help the child and his/her family to reunite and heal.
Most children enter the foster care system through no fault of their own. Rather, they are removed from their birth families due to substantiated allegations of abuse or neglect by their caregiver(s). Some children also come into care due to their own behavior, causing physical harm to themselves.
On some occasions, the family is given the opportunity to meet the child before they are transitioned to the home. However, some children are in need of emergency placement and would be placed in the home immediately.
When the family meets with their licensing specialist they will complete a checklist of ages and behaviors that they would consider accepting. Childplace and the Department of Child Services use this information when a need arises for placement of a child. A foster parent should never accept placement of a child who exhibits behaviors the foster parents do not feel equipped to manage.
All children that are placed in care have experienced some degree of trauma through abuse and/or neglect. Therefore, most children will exhibit some challenging behaviors and needs.
No. However, we do ask that foster parents not be too selective or limit themselves to a specific age, race or gender. We do consider the background of the child and the families that we are working with to find the best possible match.
The average stay for a foster child with Childplace is between 6 and 24 months. We do have those who will return home much quicker and those who might remain in care until adulthood.
Medical costs will be covered by Indiana Medicaid or the biological parent’s insurance.
Yes. Foster parents that have fostered a child for a substantial period of time (usually 6 months or longer) and have expressed a desire to be a permanent home for the child may be considered as an adoptive resource for that child. The child may also have relatives who will be considered a resource for adoption.
Counseling
Childplace employs Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Social Workers, and Licensed Mental Health Counselors. Each of our professionals holds a Masters’ Degree and have passed licensing exams. Our professionals have a wide variety of expertise in areas of assessment, diagnosis of problems and human behavior.
Childplace offers a wide variety of therapy. We work with individuals, couples and families. A person might participate in a combination of all three depending on their circumstance. We tailor the therapy being provided to best fit the needs of the client.
Childplace accepts a wide variety of insurances, including all forms of Indiana Medicaid, most Commercial Insurance, as well as a self-pay option. If you have private insurance, we will ask that you pay your co-pay at the time of your scheduled session. You are able to call the Counseling Office to determine if we accept your insurance. We also provide statements to submit to insurance for reimbursement as an Out of Network provider.
Prior to your first appointment, we will ask that you arrive 15 minutes early to complete paperwork. The paperwork can be reviewed in your session should you have any questions. This paperwork provides us with your basic background information and provides various consents.
At your scheduled appointment time, your therapist will come to the waiting room and then bring you to their office. The therapist will spend a few minutes introducing themselves and answering any questions. You will then be asked to explain your reason for seeking services. The therapist will complete an initial clinical assessment that contains multiple questions that help the therapist understand more of your situation.
Typically, a person will start off attending therapy weekly. The goal is to decrease the number of sessions as you make lasting improvements. If you are also receiving medication management sessions, you will need to attend therapy at least monthly after you and your therapist determine you have made progress on your goals.
Typically, a session will last around 45 to 50 minutes. There may be times where a shorter or longer session could be beneficial. Your therapist will discuss shortening or extending sessions as needed.
Childplace believes a combination of medication management and therapeutic services provide the greatest chance of success. With this philosophy in mind, you will not be able to just participate in medication management services.
Yes, we work with children, adolescents, and adults. We also work with couples and families.
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