Residential Services

Teaching-Family Model (TFM)

For more than 130 years, Thornwell has been children’s extended family, providing guidance and nurturing as each child matures.

As our Children and Family Ministries' staff works to strengthen the ties between Thornwell children and their biological families, our residential program strives to create a homelike, cottage-based environment for children ages two to 18.

The heart of our residential program are our Family Teachers—usually a married couple or two individual Family Teachers. Family Teachers live in our cottages with approximately six to eight children, teaching them self-governing skills, as well as helping instill in them self-confidence and individual responsibility.

The TFM began in the 1960's with research into youth behavior at the University of Kansas. TFM is now advocated worldwide by the Teaching-Family Association (www.teaching-family.org) and is also endorsed by the APA (American Psychological Association). Family Teachers must undergo a review and certification process yearly. Children and families provide feedback on the services they receive at Thornwell.

Elements of the TFM include:

• Teaching interactions where social, academic, and maintenance are taught effectively
  
• Self-determination so children can acquire rational problem-solving and self-control skills
  
• Counseling, relationship development, and motivation systems that are positive, flexible, individualized, least-restrictive,
  respectful of the rights of others, developmentally appropriate, and focused on the needs of the child

Members of TFA must undergo a review and certification process regularly. Referral and funding agents, board members, and individuals in the program are asked to rate and provide comments about the programs. Findings are summarized and reported to Thornwell and to the appropriate TFA committee.