Medically Fragile Foster Care

MENTOR Maryland’s Medically Fragile Foster Care program specializes in providing treatment foster care for the state’s most medically vulnerable children. Our comprehensive program offers the most normalized setting possible as an alternative to hospitals, group homes and other more restrictive settings.

In our homes, children from one-to-one nurturing, medical care and social stimulation provided by their dedicated, specially trained foster parents, who we call Mentors, as well as from the support of our expert team.

Based out of our Baltimore office and serving all of central Maryland, our Medically Fragile Foster Care program accepts children and adolescents from birth to age 21. The children we serve have conditions ranging from mild pre-natal drug exposure to the most complex conditions, such as ventilator dependence. Other common health issues served by our program include seizure disorders, cerebral palsy, shaken baby syndrome, reactive airway disease and HIV/AIDS. Many of the children placed with us also have developmental delays or some degree of intellectual disability.

Individualized Treatment & Care

The unique aspects of our program that allow us to provide high quality care for even the most medically fragile children include:

• Stay-at-home parent: The primary Mentor caregiver does not work outside of the home. Back-up caregivers are identified, fully licensed and trained by our agency.
• One home, one child: The foster parents’ attention is focused on a single child with intensive needs, not multiple children.
• Certified Professionals: Licensed Clinical Coordinators, who specialize in medical social work, team up with Pediatric Nurse Specialists to ensure a safe and developmentally stimulating environment.

Other highlights of our program include:

• A comprehensive approach to care and case management that addresses the needs of the child, the biological family and the Mentor family
• Access to a full array of social, rehabilitative and medical services
  Involvement in community and educational activities to maximize cognitive and social development
• Skilled nursing training to ensure a successful transition back to the biological family or other permanent placement