Additional Services
Other specialized services at Spofford include:
- Short-term assessment
- Therapeutic respite care
- Family-focus treatment
Short-term Assessment
Children at Spofford are very young and often, while problems frequently have been ongoing, a complete assessment is necessary to fully understand the factors contributing to the child’s difficulties. This short-term program (30 days or less) yields information from psychiatric assessment, psychological evaluation, 24-hour observation, and behavioral intervention to develop a recommendation for subsequent treatment options.
Therapeutic Respite Care
Respite care is an essential part of the overall support that families may need to keep their child with a severe emotional or behavioral disturbance at home. While most often provided as a transition service associated with another Spofford program, respite care may also be accessed by those not currently receiving other Spofford services. While in respite care, the child participates fully in the 24-hour structured therapeutic environment. This allows families short-term relief from the intensity of their child’s condition, helping to ensure a safe and healthy home environment.
Family-focus Treatment
A stabilized family environment is the foundation for childrens’ successful emotional and social development. The Spofford family-focus program is designed to minimize the time a child spends away from his/her family, in residence, while supporting the development of protective factors in the home that contribute to successful and lasting family and social relationships.
Becoming a Foster or Adoptive Parent
The states of Missouri and Kansas, along with private foster care and adoption case management contractors, are responsible for recruitment and training of prospective foster and adoptive parents. These children are hoping people just like you will be willing to share their love and parenting skills with those who need a home.
Potential Missouri foster parents take part in an intensive nine–week training program prior to becoming licensed. Adoptive parents receive an additional 12 hours of preparation. Training is designed to help parents with any challenges they may encounter during the foster or adoption experience. Upon successful completion of the training, background check, and in-home assessment, parents are prepared to accept children into their homes.
For information on becoming a foster or adoptive parent, please visit the Cornerstones of Care website or Missouri Division of Social Services website.
