Teaching Family Model
TRAUMA INFORMED CARE MODEL
Our number one goal is to reconnect and re-establish family bonds and keep the child in the home whenever possible.

The Teaching Family Model (TFM) is an evidence based, trauma informed model used to train and develop staff working with youth who are placed in out of home care. For White’s, TFM will be used within our foster care and residential programs. Treatment focuses on teaching appropriate pro-social behaviors and skills as alternatives to inappropriate or anti-social behaviors. TFM trains staff to teach youth social skills and uses motivation systems that are positive, not punitive while still holding youth accountable for their choices. In addition to social, educational, and self-help skills, the Model of Care is designed to address moral and value development. Therapeutic interactions between staff and youth address how behavior choices are related to six values: respect, responsibility, spirituality, compassion, empowerment and honesty. By relating every day behavior to life values, youth can begin to understand how their own behavior affects those around them.
Areas of Focus
- Behavior management model
- Backed by research
- Strength-based approach
- Trauma-informed, relational approach
- Experiential to teach skills
The Teaching Family Model
White’s philosophy of care is rooted in Christian values, in a 170-year history, and in proven expertise. We care for the children in our residential and foster homes like we would our own.
The Teaching-Family Model is the tool that brings our core principles (value-based, holistic method, Christian + Clinical, Family Life Model) together. It will give us a common language, a unified approach to quality care, and the highest level of training and support. Our programs are setup to implement the model and will work very well within our existing therapeutic framework.

Highlights
TFM serves to enhance several aspects and groups within White’s. This model…
- Is a trauma-informed model based on research that prioritizes relationships with caregivers;
- Provides a cohesive language around a strength-based approach to serving kids and families;
- Affords us the ability to maximize and invest in support systems for the agency through a unified approach to care;
- And, delivers the highest level of training for direct care staff, all employees and foster parents.

Outcomes
Through White’s researching, learning, auditing, and preparing, the following have been identified as significant outcomes from the implementation of TFM.
- Overall satisfaction from consumers
- Reduction in critical incidents
- Greater staff retention
- Increased referrals
- Improved audits
- Better treatment outcomes

Accreditations
The Teaching-Family Model is a model used by most prominent residential treatment facilities in the United States and by facilities in other countries worldwide. TFM was just approved as an accreditation that will be recognized by the FFPSA (Family First Prevention Services Act) to meet the requirement to be a QRTP (Qualified Residential Treatment Program).