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A Home for Healing: The Urgent Need for Therapeutic Foster Parents
When Dana Williams first considered becoming a therapeutic foster parent, she had the same question many do: Can I really do this? She had heard stories about youth in foster care – stories of trauma, loss, and resilience – but was not sure if she was the right person to help.
Then she met her first youth.
This child was a 9-year-old boy who had already been in (and moved out of) several home placements. The impact of trauma left him guarded and struggling to trust others. When Dana opened her home, it was not easy at first. “There were some tough moments,” she admits. “But I had the support of my (foster care) team. This boy needed my time. He needed to be seen and heard. And I was ready to show up for him.”
Dana quickly realized that being a treatment parent wasn’t about perfection – it was about “presence.”
“I didn’t need to be perfect to support him,” she says. “In fact, that’s part of the reason I have blue hair – it starts a conversation about being yourself. I want the youth in my home to know they can be true to themselves and be proud of who they are.”
The Growing Crisis
The need for families like Dana’s has never been greater. Across the country the number of foster homes is declining at an alarming rate. Since 2019, Alaska has suffered a 43-percent decrease in available foster homes, leaving many kids without stable placements. Youth that require therapeutic foster care have been significantly impacted by the shortage of these specialized homes that can support their healing journey.
“We continue to see weekly referrals for youth who have experienced trauma and are navigating emotional and behavioral challenges,” explains Jane Registe, a licensing supervisor with AK Child & Family in Anchorage (one agency that provides therapeutic treatment home services).
“These youth need support, patience, and most importantly, adults who believe in them. Unfortunately, we have a limited number of homes that can support the growing number of referrals.”
Without enough trained therapeutic foster parents, youth often endure multiple placements or may be sent out of state for a higher level of care. Kelsey Ledford, the treatment foster care clinical supervisor at AK Child & Family, reflects on the impact of the decrease in homes and notes, “While we are very grateful for the treatment homes we currently have, it is disheartening to deny referrals due to home shortages.” The effects extend beyond the children in need – they also impact the families providing care. Kelsey explains, “Our current homes face limitations in accessing respite care, which is vital for maintaining stability and ensuring they can continue supporting youth for years to come.”
This ongoing shortage highlights the urgent need for more therapeutic foster parents to provide the stability and care that so many youth desperately need.
The Heart of Fostering
For those who take the step into therapeutic fostering, the rewards are life-changing. “My first child placement and I would sit in the car and just listen to music. He loved that and you could see the little moments making the difference,” Dana shares. “I was there for him and I saw him for the great kid he was. That’s what matters in this work.”
Jane emphasizes that foster parents are never alone in this journey. “Our team is dedicated to supporting our foster parents, and we check in regularly to ensure they feel valued,” she says. She also highlights that AK Child & Family is Sanctuary certified, a trauma-informed care organization. “Sanctuary has helped our team approach every situation with a trauma-informed, supportive mindset, ensuring that both youth and foster families receive the understanding they need.”
Therapeutic foster parents receive comprehensive support to ensure they have the tools and guidance needed to provide stable, healing environments for the children. This includes specialized training in trauma-informed care, behavioral interventions, and de-escalation techniques, equipping parents to meet the complex needs of the youth in their care.
AK Child & Family also provides 24/7 on-call support, giving treatment homes immediate access to professionals who can assist with challenges as they arise. Additionally, regular weekly check-ins and clinical consultations help foster families navigate difficult situations and celebrate the successes.
Your Opportunity to Make a Difference
The need for therapeutic foster parents is urgent, but hope remains. The solution lies in everyday people stepping forward – people willing to offer guidance, patience, and a safe place to heal.
“If you’ve ever thought about therapeutic fostering, reach out. Ask questions. You don’t have to be perfect – just willing,” Kelsey encourages. “We are here and excited to help at each step on the journey.”
For many youth across Alaska, stability changed everything. Stability meant they could form meaningful relationships, foster emotional growth, reduce anxiety, develop a sense of belonging, and strengthen their ability to cope with past trauma. Research shows that youth in stable placements have better educational outcomes and an increased likelihood of achieving long-term well-being.
It all starts with one family deciding to say yes.
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