Treatment-level foster care with specialized supports for complex needs.
Our Program
Safe Harbours Family Treatment Homes Ltd. operates licensed foster homes providing treatment-level foster care for children and youth requiring enhanced supervision, structure, and professional supports. Services are delivered in accordance with the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 and Ontario Regulation 156/18.
Age Range Served
- Infants (0–11 months)
- Young children (1–5 years)
- Children (6–9 years)
- Pre-adolescents (10–12 years)
- Adolescents (13–17 years)
Program Model and Utilization of Foster Homes
Safe Harbours operates licensed foster homes under a parent-model of care. Homes provide stable, family-based environments supported by agency staff. Foster homes are utilized to provide structured, trauma-informed care for children and youth with developmental, behavioural, emotional, and complex needs.
Description of Services Offered
Services are delivered through licensed foster homes supported by agency staff, including Child and Youth Workers. Services include:
- Caregiver training and ongoing supervision
- Behaviour guidance and crisis intervention
- Coordination of clinical and community-based services
- Collaboration with placing agencies, schools, and healthcare professionals
- Psychological consultation by a Child Psychologist where clinically indicated
Services are accessed through referrals from Children’s Aid Societies and other authorized referral sources. Supports are developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, and responsive to each child’s needs.
In the Hamilton area, Safe Harbours also supports youth through Section 23 programming in two locations.
Specialized Services
The program provides specialized services for children and youth with:
- Developmental or neuro-diverse needs
- Dual diagnosis (developmental disability and mental health disorder)
- Mental health-related behaviours
Education and Language Services
- Education and Community Partnership Program (ECPP)
- Services offered in English
- Maximum of 16 children/youth served in ECPP
Cultural and Identity Services
Safe Harbours is committed to identity-affirming and culturally responsive care.
- Support for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children and youth
- Support for 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth
- Individualized care planning that promotes identity, culture, and community connection
Client Characteristics Served
The program is designed to support children and youth who may present with:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
- Physical or verbal aggression
- Self-harm or suicidal ideation
- Sexualized behaviours
- Substance use
- Frequent missing/absent without notice
- Youth justice involvement
- Obsessive/compulsive behaviours
The program is not designed to support children or youth whose primary presenting concern is persistent fire-setting behaviour.
Clinical Services
Clinical consultation is available as part of the licensed program. Psychological consultation services are provided by a regulated Child Psychologist. Clinical services support care planning and service coordination within the foster care setting.
Staff Qualifications
Safe Harbours employs qualified personnel in accordance with section 80.3 of Ontario Regulation 156/18. Staff duties include supervision of foster homes, behaviour support, crisis response, service coordination, and monitoring child well-being.
Staff may hold post-secondary education in Child and Youth Care, Social Services, or related fields and are screened through credential verification, reference checks, and vulnerable sector screening.
Training
All foster caregivers and agency staff complete mandatory and supplementary training, including:
- Trauma-informed care
- Behaviour management and crisis prevention
- Responding to self-harm and suicidal ideation
- Managing sexualized behaviours
- Substance use awareness
- Supervision and safety planning
- Cultural safety and identity-affirming practice
Foster caregivers complete required pre-service training prior to placement and refresher training at least annually. Staff complete orientation prior to independent duties and ongoing annual training thereafter.
Behaviour Management and Crisis Prevention
The program follows a trauma-informed, prevention-focused approach using the Safe Management framework. Non-physical, least-intrusive strategies are prioritized.
Physical restraint is used only as a last resort, by trained individuals, and in accordance with legislation and agency policy.
Ministry-approved physical restraint training program:
- Crisis Intervention Program by Safe Management Group Inc.
Consultation and Collaboration
Safe Harbours consults with Children’s Aid Societies, school boards, healthcare professionals, and community-based service providers during intake, placement planning, and ongoing care coordination.
Supervision and Support of Foster Homes
Foster caregivers receive structured, ongoing supervision and support from agency staff, including Child and Youth Workers. Support includes consultation, coaching, crisis response, and collaborative care planning to promote placement stability and child well-being.