1. Facilitator Rosa Johnson, MA Compliance and Recruitment Manager Certified Treatment Foster Parent Facilitator The Professional Master Parent

2. VISION  To develop all HOPE, Inc. foster parents into Professional Master Parents.  To empower parents to be the change agent in the lives of children and adolescents.  Improved placement stability and permanency.

3. WHAT?  The Professional Master Parent Model is HOPE, Inc.’s response to the challenge of achieving placement stability and permanency for children in care.  Incorporates increased specialized education on medication, DSM IV diagnosis, sexualized behavior, and working with biological families.  Emphasizes continual development of foster parents.  Develops the “TREATMENT” in Therapeutic Foster Care Parents.  Establishes measureable outcomes.

4. WHY?  Focus on improving outcomes for children in treatment foster care.  Provide stability and permanency for children with challenging behaviors.  Recognition that those who work to serve the needs of children who have experienced trauma, neglect and abuse take on extremely complex and challenging responsibilities –  Parents must know their job responsibilities and then do them well.

5. WHO?  All HOPE, Inc. licensed foster parents are required to participate in their development as a Professional Master Parents.  New prospective foster parents entering HOPE begin the process during pre-service.  HOPE, Inc. Clinical Team Staff are required to complete the educational component.

6. A MASTER PARENT …..  Has realistic views about their ability to parent children with special needs.  Is able to establish clear, concise, age appropriate expectations for children in their home.  Provides consistency in skills teaching and discipline techniques.  Never, Never, Never, Ever thinks about using corporal punishment.  Effectively engages biological and adoptive families.

7. A MASTER PARENT….  Models professionalism and respect  Shares successes with child, workers and peers.  Requests additional education on challenging issues.  Does not take child’s behavior personally.  Provides leadership to peers.  Is able to “therapeutically” communicate.  Practices confidentiality….

8. A Master Parent …  Advocates for children by making sure they receive needed medical, dental, therapy, medication management, recreation, and educational needs as they are required or needed.  Is prepared to deal with challenging issues and behaviors.  Attends all monthly continuing education sessions, FAPT meetings, court, and treatment team meetings.  Participates in Re-Education on parenting topics that challenges their parenting style.