Youth with Elevated Needs- Level B Resource Providers Program

If you are interested in providing care and specialized intervention for children and youth who qualify for Youth with Elevated Needs, you must have a contract with the Children's Division as a Level B resource provider.

This type of provider serves as the primary agent for those children and must be available to respond immediately to any problem experienced or created by the child, whether it is at home, at school, or in the community. They also receive a higher daily rate to ensure they are readily available to meet the needs of the children.

Contracted Level B resource providers must:

  • Meet all foster home licensing requirements
  • Receive an additional 18 hours of Level A foster care training
  • Complete 9 hours of Level B resource provider training
  • Demonstrate the skills required to care for children who require individualized care

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must be able to meet the following criteria:

  • Currently a licensed resource provider for the Children's Division; or,
  • Experience as a primary caretaker or professional/volunteer in the care and/or treatment of children who qualify for Elevated Needs. Experience includes:
    • One year actual child care experience as a licensed resource provider; OR
    • One year full time experience in a professional/volunteer capacity in the care/treatment of children who qualify for Elevated Needs; OR
    • Any combination of the two
    • Graduation from a four-year college with a degree in Child and Family Development, Special Education, Psychology, Sociology or other closely related areas may be substituted for the required experience
  • Knowledge and understanding of (or willing/able to learn) behavior modification techniques, theories of personality development and mental illness, communicate skills, positive parenting skills, crisis intervention skills and child advocacy skills
  • Ability to assist in the development and implementation of a treatment plan designed for a specific child
  • Ability to work effectively as a team member
  • Participate in specialized training and practice designed specifically for Level B resource providers
  • Available 24 hours per day except during periods of scheduled respite
  • Able to make a minimum commitment of one year to work with a youth
  • Effectively advocate for timely and quality services for youth
  • Maintain an organized record keeping system
  • Able to act independently to obtain needed services for the child, such as medical, dental, education, etc.

What are the additional responsibilities?

Level B resource providers are the primary agent for children with elevated needs and must be available to respond immediately to any problem involving the child. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Provide the child opportunities for recreational/social activities
  • Serve as a professional team member in developing appropriate plans for the child's care and treatment
  • Work with natural parents to help them understand and manage the child's individual problems and prepare them to resume responsibility for the care of their children
  • Maintain detailed and accurate reports of significant events involving the child
  • Arrange and transport child to all medical, dental and therapy appointments