Supporting children, holistically and individually.

The Enhanced Family Foster Care (EFFC) program is an innovative model of care, in which youth and families can access a broad range of therapeutic supports and services without needing to transition between foster homes or foster care programs. EFFC recognizes that all children placed in foster care have experienced some level of trauma and that their needs change over time.  EFFC increases placement stability for youth by supporting the formation of a trusting and secure relationship between the child and caregiver.

Families in Heartshare's EFFC Program receive enhanced case management as well as a full array of services and supports to help them thrive as they work towards permanency.

Heartshare is one of five foster care agencies in New York City that provides Special Family Foster Care (SFFC) for children with significant medical needs and/or developmental disabilities.

Youth in Heartshare's SFFC program are assigned to both a specialized case planner and a nurse who visits the family, attends medical appointments, and ensures that the youth is achieving health goals and following their treatment plan.  Heartshare's Treatment Team, including the nurse, case planner, care coordinator/health home coordinator, and clinicians coordinate all healthcare services as well as provide ongoing pediatric services, assessment, and health education. All SFFC foster families receive specialized training and certification to meet the needs of the children.

Every day, young migrant children arrive at our Southern border exhausted, afraid, and alone. They are among the thousands who travel to unimaginable lengths to flee violence, poverty, or natural disasters in their home countries with the hope of finding safety and security in a new place. Just as our Foster Care Program ensures that children in foster care experience a seamless transition to a safe, stable, and loving home, Nuevo Camino will work to provide temporary foster care families for unaccompanied minors ages 5 to 17 arriving in the United States without their parents in hopes of a better life. Foster parents will provide this transition home, until a more permanent home with a trusted family member can be confirmed.

Heartshare supports four Healing Homes, which are Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) with a home-like environment providing a safe and nurturing atmosphere for children and young adults between the ages of 12 and 21, while they are in the foster care system. These homes provide support for young people in foster care to gain independent living skills, attend school, participate in community activities, and receive personal, academic, and career counseling.

Short-term (12-18 months) transitional programs for youth between the ages of 18 and 21 who are preparing to leave foster care with the permanency planning goal. This is a program designed for youth who are able to live on their own in the community. This is an important step towards a path of full independence.