Savio - Strengthening families since 1966
About Us Foster Families Child Protection Adolescent Services Employment Contact Us Home

Residential Programs

Treatment Residential Child Care Facility

Foster and Group Homes

Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care

Education and Day Treatment Programs

Savio School

Day Treatment Programming

Community-Based Services

Community-Based Services

Functional Family Therapy (FFT)

Multisystemic Therapy (MST)

Offense-Specific Interventions

Multisystemic Therapy - Problem Sexual Behaviors (MST-PSB)

Sexual Abuse Intervention (SAI)

Youth Corrections

Savio Transition Program (STP)

DYC Provider Network

Youthful Offender System

Savio YOS Program

Adolescent Services

Residential Programs - Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care

Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC) is a program designed to provide an alternative placement to residential treatment or juvenile detention for hard to treat youth ages 12 to 18. The youth placed in MTFC homes typically have serious behavior problems including a history of law violations, school failure, inappropriate family interactions, drug and alcohol use, poor peer relations, inadequate coping and poor social skills. Youth are typically in placement for a period of 6 to 9 months.

Interventions are multidimensional and are implemented in the MTFC home, at school, in the community and with peers. The program has integrated components that work together to serve the needs of the youth. For youth in placement, no co-occurring treatment can occur outside the MTFC program.

Program objectives include successful reunification with aftercare resource and cessation of delinquent behavior.

MTFC Treatment Components

  1. Behavioral Emphasis on skill building, problem solving and change in negative behavioral trajectory are the goals.
  2. Strength Based focus is on reinforcement of positive behaviors.
  3. Point and Level System translates positive and negative behavior into points. The youth progresses through three levels, each with fewer restrictions. Consequences occur on the following day to decrease emotional reaction.
  4. Foster Homes have only ONE youth per home.
  5. Matching the youth with foster family in terms of culture, background, family demographics, interests and personalities.
  6. Family Services occur weekly during youth's placement. Services after discharge are also available through aftercare services. Home visits occur after 3 to 4 weeks and increase in length and frequency as parental skills improve.
  7. Youth Services provided weekly through individual therapy and skills training sessions.
  8. 24-Hour Support available to foster parents and aftercare resource at all times.

MTFC Program Staff

  • Program Supervisor - Leads the treatment team, advocates for foster parents, liaison with other systems, provides limits and all consequences to youth in the program.
  • Foster Parent - Provides 24/7 supervision of youth, implements point and level system, and maintains open communication with program supervisor.
  • Individual Therapist - Works with youth individually on a weekly basis. Treatment and technique is directed toward specific behavior modification.
  • Family Therapist - Works with biological family or after care resource on a weekly basis. Treatment is designed to support the parents in improving communication and developing more effective disciplinary skills.
  • Skills Trainer - Works with the youth on a weekly basis. Sessions focus on social skills, problem-solving and coping skills.
  • Parent Daily Report Caller - Calls foster parents daily (M-F) to record youth's behavior from the prior day.

Youth's Role in MTFC Program

  • Build on existing strengths.
  • Create more positive relationships with family, school staff and peers.
  • Learn more effective problem solving, conflict resolution and coping skills.
  • Increase responsibility and accountability for time.
  • Participate in the point and level system.
  • Attend school and be responsible for school card.
  • Attend weekly sessions with individual therapist and skills trainer.
  • Follow program rules and limits set by Program Supervisor.

For more information contact: Lisa Day, Savio MTFC Program Supervisor, 303-225-4100