The Family Treatment Program (FTP) is a 5-day intensive program for families with elementary aged children who are experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties.  Children in the FTP stay in a dormitory setting Monday through Friday, attend school on campus, and return home each weekend.  The Program is operated cooperatively by the Department of Children's Services (DCS) and the public school system.  The Dorothy Thomas School, a center-based school for children eligible for the SED Program, is located on the campus.

About Family Treatment Program

Program Philosophy
The Department of Children's Services, Family Treatment Program, is dedicated to ensuring the best possible care and treatment for children and families. We are committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of all children in our care, while providing a proactive, nurturing, therapeutic environment where all people are treated with dignity and respect.

Treatment
Treatment for up to 24 children is designed to address the family's difficulties in social/emotional areas and for the child "in residence", academic areas. Each family is assigned to a treatment team, which includes a counselor and childcare specialist, a teacher, and an aide. The team develops an individual treatment plan for each family and for the child "in residence." Supervision is provided by the Clinical Services Director, and the Counselor Supervisor, both Clinical Psychologists. Children receive individual, group and family therapy, and if appropriate, play therapy.

Admission Criteria
The Family Treatment Program is designed to serve families with children who have typically been identified by the school system as eligible to receive services through the Emotionally Handicapped Program (Full Time), and for whom a more restrictive placement may be indicated. Children being successfully served in a less restrictive educational program (SLD, EH-Resource) are not eligible forconsideration.

• Additional admission requirement are that the child must be a resident of Hillsborough County, 7 through 12 years of age.