We are UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Mon Yough"s Specialized Foster Care Program. We are seeking Foster Families.

Foster families are the change agents in Foster Care. Foster Care is supportive caring housing for children who cannot live with their parents or a family member due to abuse neglect or other special circumstances. At a time when most needed you can provide a loving, nurturing, and stable home for a child in imminent need. Most children have endured some type of trauma. Foster care is intended to be short-term care for a child but can sometimes become long-term and may even lead to adoption. Foster parents will feel nurtured, developed, appreciated, supported, and valued in our program. Please email me for an application, join one of our information sessions, and for more detailed information please call Amber Vash at 412-657-6828 or Rebecca Hagedorn at 412-913-0281.

Link for Foster Parent Information sessions:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/foster-parent-information-session-tickets-356777560287

The goals of this program are to help kids and teens:

• Thrive in safe, supportive, and nurturing foster homes.

• Rejoin their families of origin or find other permanent homes.

Direct services include:

• Placement tailored to best meet the specific and unique needs of each child.

• Service provision and support services to foster families.

• Trauma informed care training for foster parents and caseworkers.

• Child-focused skill development.

• Making sure children are in least restrictive and developmentally appropriate childhood settings that meets their needs.

• Ensure proper health care by working with youth's doctors and nurses.

• Taking part in Individualized Service and Education Plan meetings and court hearings.

• Supervised visits with biological family.

We offer crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, either over the phone or in person to:

• Decide what level of intervention you need.

• Assess for safety.

• Provide de-escalation skills and problem-solving methods.

• Make a plan to address ongoing need.

We can arrange other services with:

• UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Mon Yough (based on youth's enrollment).

• Third-party providers (such as Children, Youth, and Families).

• Psychiatrists, social workers, and other mental health experts.

• Schools.

• Legal systems (such as family courts and juvenile probation services).

For more information, please call Amber Vash at 412-657-6828 or Rebecca Hagedorn at 412-913-0281.

Thank you,

Phyllis

Phyllis E. Johnson

UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Mon Yough

Specialized Foster Care Department

500 Walnut St, 2nd Fl

McKeesport, PA 15132

M: 412-522-1844

F: 412-675-8484

johnsonpe2@upmc.edu