Seguin Services, Inc., provides foster homes for children, from birth to 18 years of age, who are medically fragile or have developmental disabilities in conjunction with behavioral challenges. Seguin also supports the foster child's brothers or sisters who have traditional care needs. Ages range from birth to 18 years. Seguin foster parents participate in pre-licensing training and receive individualized support that is unique to Seguin. This training program includes orientation to licensing standards and rules, medical and behavioral aspects of children, CPR and First Aid training, and the Seguin philosophy of teamwork. Annually, each foster parent completes a program of continuing education and training annually.

Specialized Foster Care

Children with special medical needs are provided a consistent, nurturing and loving environment. Some of our children have complicated medical conditions or are diagnosed with developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy, seizure disorder or neurological impairment.

Specialized Mental Health Foster Care

Children and adolescents (up to age 18) with mild to profound mental retardation, dual diagnoses (mental illness or serious behavior disorder and developmental disabilities) or behavior disorders are linked with supportive foster families. Foster parents are trained in child development, behavior management, alternative communication and crisis prevention in order to provide a stable home to these children. The goal of a foster parent in the Treatment Program is to establish a relationship with the child in a structured, caring environment, which promotes healing, stability and growth.

Traditional Foster Care

When biological parents are unable to deliver adequate care to their children, Seguin selects and trains foster parents to provide it. The goals of Seguin's Traditional Foster Care program are to assure that children are in a safe environment, and to monitor the rehabilitation and training of the biological parent so that families may be reunited.

Foster Care Support Services

Licensing and Intake — Seguin representatives assure that our licensed foster homes meet the standards of the Department of Children and Family Services. They work closely with families and support them as they go through the licensing process, admit foster children into their homes, and provide services which meet the best interest of each foster child under their care.

Case Management — Seguin's case managers have small caseloads which enable them to focus more intensively on the unique needs of each child, and to assist children in being placed more quickly into permanent and stable homes. To achieve such permanency, children may return home to their biological parents, be adopted either by their foster families or other interested parties or through guardianship with relatives. Case Managers are on call to the foster parent 24 hours a day in case of emergency.

Nursing Services — Since Seguin's program revolves around children who have special needs, each child is assigned a primary nurse. Our nurses visit the child in the foster home on a regular basis. The level and intensity of the child's medical needs determine the schedule. Seguin registered nurses are available to foster parents by pager 24 hours a day to address any medical emergency.

Respite Services — Trained Seguin staff provide respite services (extra in-home support) to each foster child served by Seguin. The amount of respite varies depending on the needs of the child and the foster family. This respite service offers needed rest for the foster families, while insuring effective care and support for each child.

Behavioral and Therapy Services — Seguin's clinical services personnel provide intensive clinical support to children with behavioral and emotional challenges, and to their foster and biological families. Behavioral support staff is available to provide child-specific interventions and 24-hour crisis support. In addition, licensed clinical psychologists are available to offer individual and family therapy, as well as psychological assessments.

Educational Liaison — Seguin's Educational Liaison assists foster parents and relative caregivers in accessing and advocating for the appropriate educational and related services each child needs. Our Educational Liaison assists in determining the child's least restrictive environment, looking for ways to include each child to the maximum level possible within the mainstream of each school system.

Becoming a Foster Parent — Seguin foster parents are asked to join us for the unique experience of providing care for a very special population of children. Foster parents are challenged both mentally and emotionally, but are rewarded as they see children thrive in their care. We also ask foster parents to be supportive of the biological parents of the foster children to facilitate family reunification. To find out how to join us for this challenging and rewarding experience please contact the Children's Foster Care Program Licensing Representative.