The FFTA Mission

The Foster Family-based Treatment Association strengthens agencies that support families caring for vulnerable children.

The Foster Family-based Treatment Association (FFTA) is an agency-led organization of treatment foster care providers established in 1988 with an initial purpose of defining and refining Treatment Foster Care practices. The Association’s membership is composed of agencies throughout North America currently operating treatment foster care programs. Organizations that are not direct service providers, but have an interest in the field, hold affiliate membership status. FFTA is assisted by recognized researchers and policy-makers in the fields of child welfare and mental health.

The foundation of the FFTA is built upon a belief in the family as a source of stability and security for children and youth. In accomplishing its mission, the FFTA is committed to helping member agencies by promoting the following core values:

• Creating partnerships between foster and birth parents and TFC agencies
• Promoting strengths
• Encouraging community support
• Developing sufficient resources to sustain quality care
• Articulating outcomes for children and families
• Assuring continuity by establishing permanent relationships and environments

Esprit De Corps

The FFTA was founded by a group of Treatment Foster Care professionals who shares an esprit de corps. As the camaraderie and mutual respect of our members has increased over the years, and as the FFTA has continued to provide a unique forum for learning, networking and exchanging information, this unifying spirit has become even stronger.

A Common Vision

The FFTA’s membership of approximately 400 Treatment Foster Care agencies represents a variety of programs diverse in scope and size. FFTA member agencies share certain values and principles that lie at the heart of Treatment Foster Care and shape its development and evolution. Member agencies believe:

• In normalization as a treatment principle and in the power of family living as a normalizing influence.
• In the important role that kinship plays in the formation of identity and self-worth and in relationships which impart a sense of family belonging to children and youth.
• That all children and youth need and have a right to a permanent family. To that end, family reunification, adoption, kinship care or other long-term stable family living arrangements are crucial.
• In the value of cultural diversity and in the importance of developing competence in dealing with issues of diversity.
• In doing “whatever it takes” to maximize a young person’s opportunity to live successfully in a family and community.
• In the fundamental importance of documentation and the systematic evaluation of services and their effects.

A Commitment to Action

FFTA members are action oriented. We are accustomed to approaching our work with a broader and more detailed view of each child or adult’s world than can typically be addressed by more narrowly defined services. This necessitates a more dynamic approach with an understanding that programs must constantly evolve in order to ensure the child or adult’s successful adjustment to family and community life.

While Treatment Foster Care has obvious advantages, it also presents us with interesting challenges in areas such as funding, managed care, permanency-planning and family preservation. The FFTA leadership is committed to helping agencies clarify and resolve such issues through education programs, technical assistance, public policy initiatives and position papers. In addition, recognized researchers and policy-makers in the fields of child welfare and mental health assist the association and its membership.

Embracing Practice Standards

In response to the distinctive situations in Treatment Foster Care, the FFTA Board of Directors, in collaboration with agency executives throughout North America, has developed standards of practice for this service.

The FFTA Program Standards for Treatment Foster Care have helped define the model and set parameters to guide both new and seasoned practitioners of Treatment Foster Care. FFTA member agencies voluntarily adhere to the values described in the Program Standards and work toward compliance with these standards.
FFTA Program Standards

Opportunities for Professional Development

FFTA holds state and regional chapter meetings throughout the year. Member agency staff is invited to attend and participate in any of these meetings. Each year the FFTA sponsors the North American Conference on Treatment Foster Care. This conference brings together more than 700 professionals and foster parents from around North America to learn from experts in the field and share the best practices in Treatment Foster Care.
Conference Information

All representatives of member agencies are eligible for nomination to the Board of Directors and may serve on its committees. Service on the board or committees provides an excellent opportunity to broaden professional horizons, network with other professionals, enhance leadership skills, apply a specific area of expertise and impact the future of Treatment Foster Care.
Join an FFTA Committee

Copyright © 2004 Foster Family-based Treatment Association
294 Union Street, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601
(800) 414-FFTA (3382)