Multi-Dimensional Treatment Foster Care

The Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care Program (MTFC) is a Gillis evidence based program for youth ages 12 to 17 who have a history of emotional and/or behavioral problems. These youth are placed with specially trained foster parents who implement a structured program customized for each youth.  The program provides close supervision, fair and consistent limits and consequences, supportive relationships with mentoring adults and minimizes association with peers who may be a bad influence. The program typically lasts between six and nine months for the youth before they are ready to transition home with an enhanced set of social skills, increased self confidence and a new positive outlook towards their future. The foster parents in this program are given tremendous amounts of support including daily phone calls to check on the youth’s behavior and to check on their own level of stress and they attend weekly foster parent support groups.

 
History of MTFC
 
The Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care model was developed at the Oregon Social Learning Center in Eugene, Oregon in 1983. The model draws from over 30 years of longitudinal research on the development and treatment of antisocial behavior.
 
On a continuum of care, MTFC is a community based placement that can be used in lieu of residential care or to assist youth transitioning back to the community from such settings.
 
The Treatment Team
 
The MTFC group is lead by the Program Supervisor, whose role involves coordinating all services for the program.
  • A foster parent recruiter/trainer/PDR caller
  • The treatment foster parents
  • A family therapist
  • An individual therapist
  • A youth skills trainer

Staff members meet weekly to review the daily behavioral information, review the progress wach youth has made and adjust individualized programs as needed.

 
The MTFC Foster Parents
 
Foster parents are recruited, trained, and supported to become part of the treatment team. They provide close supervision and implement a structured, individualized program for each youth. Working with other foster parents, the Program Supervisor builds on the youth's expectations, and limits. MTFC foster parents:
  • Receive specialized pre-service training
  • Participate in weekly support group and assistance meeting
  • Have access to the Program Supervisor's support 24 hours a day/7 days a week
In addition, MTFC foster parents are contacted daily and information then is relayed to the treatment team, allowing the team to quickly respond to developing problems.
 
The Child
 
Youth in the MTFC program receive a coordinated set of individualized services including:
  • Encouragement
  • Structured behavior management system
  • Consistent rules and logical consequences
  • Skills training
The Youth's Family
 
The biological family, or aftercare resource, is an important part of the team. They receive support, parent training, and family therapy while learning to discipline, supervise, and encourage their youth, Therapy is provided to reduce conflict in the family and support progress.
 

Want to be a foster family?

 

6 Easy Steps to get Started
 

1. CALL US at 816-508-3500

 

2. Receive Information on becoming a licensed foster parent

 

3. Enroll in STARS classes at NO COST. Training classes are approximately 30 hours plus CPR, First Aid, & Medication training

 

4. Foster Home Study- Home Study will be completed at NO COST during the STARS training

 

5. Licensure Approved- Upon successful completion of training and an approved home study, you will become a licensed foster resource.

 

6. MTFC Training- 12 hours of additional pre-service training
 
What we offer
Campus-Based Treatment

When provided a safe and supportive living environment boys and girls who have experienced traumatic events in their young lives can begin to heal emotionally and physically. Read More.

Community-Based Intensive Family Counseling

These programs increase opportunities for children, youth and families to improve and strengthen relationships that will have a positive impact on their lives at home, school and in the community. Read More.

Community-Based Social Services
Historically, children coming into contact with the child welfare system for abuse and/or neglect were often removed from their parents care and placed in foster care. Read More.
 
School-Based Day Treatment

Students in Gillis Day Treatment School have an opportunity to experience success in a classroom setting. Because of behavioral and/or emotional disorders children attending our school are challenged by a traditional classroom setting. Read More.

Gillis News
The 31st Annual Gillis Spirit Awards will be held Friday, April 20th at the Sheraton Crown Center. 
 
Crawfish, music and drinks!! Check out the Prairie Village Crawfish Festival benefiting Gillis.
 
Now is your chance to play The National! Save the date for the 2012 Gillis Golf Classic. Read More.