Therapeutic Foster Care

All children deserve to live in safe, nurturing homes where they can feel valued and loved.  They need support to reach their goals and opportunities to develop positive relationships with caring adults.

In New Jersey MENTOR’s Therapeutic Foster Care program, we match children, adolescents, and teens with dedicated foster parents who we call Mentors.  With the help of our expert staff, Mentors provide individualized treatment and support to help youth with complex challenges lead healthy, stable lives in the communities they call home.

Individualized Treatment & Support

Our Therapeutic Foster Care program begins with Individualized Service Plans (ISPs).  We take time to understand each child’s past and dreams for the future.  Then we work with their Mentors, referring case managers, family members and guardians to develop services that meet their unique needs.

At the center of our professional teams are exceptional therapists who focus on each child’s permanency goals—whether it’s reunification with family, adoption or independent living.  With a track record of success spanning more than two decades, our Therapeutic Foster Care program offers a range of comprehensive support including:

• Weekly individualized counseling
• Family therapy with the child, Mentor and family members
• Psychological evaluations and consultation
• Psychiatric and counseling services
• Advocacy and support for court and school systems
• 24-hour emergency on-call services

• Skill development and ongoing education for foster parents
• Case management and individualized service plans
• Low parent-to-child ratios
• Program oversight and quality assurance
• Centralized referral and intake process
• Access to our continuum of care and program transfers

Youth We SupportThe youth we serve come from all walks of life.  Some may have intellectual and developmental disabilities, while others may have emotional or behavioral challenges resulting from abuse or neglect.  Through our flexible Therapeutic Foster Care program, we are able to support youth whose needs may include:

• Emergency stabilization
• Diversion from inpatient care
• A step-down from more intensive settings
• An alternative to group homes
• A transition to independent living and permanency planning

Interested in becoming a foster parent?

There’s more information on our blog. Visit to learn what it takes and how to get started.

• How to Become a Foster Parent in New Jersey
• An Introduction to Foster Care
• Our Guide to Becoming a Foster Parent and FAQ