Enhanced Family Foster Care

The Administration of Children Services (ACS) Enhanced Family Foster Care (EFFC) model is the combination of Family Foster Care and Therapeutic Family Foster Care. Children placed in foster care have experienced some level of trauma and while in care their needs change over time. The EFFC model is an innovative way our children’s and youth’s strengths while in care so they can reach their full potential. The EFFC model creates an opportunity to provide ongoing assessments of children, youth and their families so the types and intensity of services can change depending on each family’s needs.

By allowing for the flexibility to increase and decrease services and support based on the child’s needs, EFFC increases stability for the child and supports the formation of a trusting and secure attachment relationship between the child and caregiver.

Families in New York City EFFC Programs receive enhanced case management as well as a full array of services, treatment, and supports to help them thrive as they work towards permanency.  

Services include

• Closely-monitored kinship or foster homes
• Collaborative permanency planning with families
• Youth Development skills training for adolescents
• Medical care
• Referrals in the community for benefits, substance abuse treatment and housing
• Model Approach to Partnership and Parenting (MAPP) training for foster and adoptive families
• Sanctuary, an innovative treatment model that teaches youth to understand and heal the trauma that has affected their lives

Types of Foster Homes

Family Foster Care: JCCA encourages partnerships between birth parents and foster parents so they can develop plans for a child’s return home or an alternate permanency plan. Admission age: birth-20.

Kinship Foster Family Foster Care: Many children remain in the care of their extended families in kinship foster care. JCCA’s support services assist relatives in maintaining children safely and securely. The family works to create a plan for the child’s future. Admission age: birth-20.