Foster Care Programs

Mainstream

For children and youth with comparatively lower needs.

Every child who comes into care carries some degree of trauma and a story of their own. "Mainstream" describes children and youth who present with lower needs and fewer trauma-related behaviours.

Our training prepares foster parents to understand and respond to what a child brings with patience and a supportive lens. Many mainstream foster parents go on to build the skills and confidence to care for children with more complex needs.

Become a foster parent →

Special Needs

The heart of Annie's Havens, and the reason we exist.

Our special needs program serves children and youth living with developmental, physical, and medical needs. It is the program Annie's Havens was founded on. Foster parents here are committed, experienced caregivers, and we provide specialized training and, where it is needed, Personal Support Worker (PSW) hours to support higher daily care at home. Backgrounds in nursing, personal support work, or caring for a family member are a real asset.

The needs we care for include, but are not limited to:

• Mobility needs, such as wheelchair or walker use
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Global developmental delays
• Tube or IV feeding (for example, G-tube or TPN)
• Medically fragile children
• Palliative care

Because permanency planning can take much longer for children with special needs, these placements are often long-term, and foster parents are prepared to care for a child over many years.

Talk to our team →

Trauma-Focused Care

Specialized treatment care, through our sister agency.

Children and youth with significant trauma-related needs are cared for through our sister agency, Safe Harbours Family Treatment Homes. Trauma-focused foster parents bring a background in child psychology, behavioural therapy, or a Child and Youth Worker credential, and complete a specialized trauma-focused curriculum before their home is licensed, with ongoing in-service training.

When a referral calls for trauma-focused care, Annie's Havens coordinates with Safe Harbours so the right home is found for the child.

Visit Safe Harbours →