Enhanced Family Treatment and Foster Care Programs

The Enhanced Family Treatment (EFT) program provides services in the community and in the home for Chittenden County children and adolescents ages 4-22. EFT is provided to children and families who need additional support, other than what community programs are unable to offer.

EFT provides short-term, child focused, family centered treatment. The program is individualized to meet the unique needs of each child and family. This service helps children and families build skills to remain in or return to their home, schools, and communities. EFT offers 24-hour crisis support via phone or onsite, depending on the needs of the family. Each family is matched with a clinician and a living skills worker who collaborate to support identified goals. When appropriate, EFT can offer foster care, shared parenting, and respite services.

Where we provide services

Therapeutic foster homes are located throughout Chittenden County and surrounding areas. The foster families who open their homes to young people in our program receive specialized training to support complex social, emotional and/or behavioral needs.

What services we provide

The services we provide are based on each child and family’s needs and may include intensive, community-based mental health and behavioral supports.

In addition to direct foster care and related services, the Enhanced Family Treatment Program provides consultation and training to foster families and other child-serving organizations throughout Vermont to increase the capacity to effectively serve children and youth in foster care.

How to make a referral

If you would like more information about our program and the services we provide, or if you are interested in becoming a therapeutic foster home, contact HCFosterCare@howardcenter.org or 802-488-7111.