This innovative treatment foster program supports children and youth who cannot live at home full-time because of their complex emotional and behavioral needs. This model combines the benefits of a family setting with the support of the Vanier Intensive Services team including (if needed) a full-time child and youth counselor, family therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, the treatment classroom and 24/7 clinical on-call. The goal is treatment but delivered in a nurturing family environment. Children live with experienced treatment foster parents part of the time (usually during the week) and spend weekends or other periods at home with family. In Family Bridges, parents are the guardians and also key members of the treatment team. The clients can be part of the program up to age 18, if needed.
We partner with Humana Community Services for foster families with the skills, experience and training required for the role. This is a fee for service program. Children who qualify for complex special-needs funding or its equivalent are considered for the program. Because of the link with Vanier services, this program is most helpful for families in the London-Middlesex area.