Treatment Model

A home is in the heart of every child.

T3C Short-Term Assessment Support Services

📚 Foundational Treatment Model

Short-Term Assessment Support Services (STASS) utilizes the same foundational TBRI® model as our T3C Basic Foster Family Home Support Services package, with enhanced assessment coordination and time-limited focus.

For comprehensive information about the core TBRI® principles, implementation strategies, education plans, and foundational practices, please refer to:

All staff and caregivers working with children in the STASS package must complete training in the foundational TBRI® model plus specialized short-term assessment skills training (4 hours).

⏱️ Time-Limited Service Model

STASS is distinctly different from other T3C packages due to its short-term, assessment-focused nature:

Maximum 30 days for children age 5 and under
Maximum 45 days for children over age 5
One 15-day extension available if needed
Not eligible for Add-On Services
Up to 4 children may be in the home (unless sibling group requires more)

Purpose: Provide comprehensive assessment and evaluation to determine appropriate long-term Service Package and placement, not long-term treatment.

1. Treatment Model Framework and Structure

Our Child Placing Agency implements Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) as documented in our T3C Basic Foster Family Home Support Services treatment model, adapted for the unique assessment-focused, time-limited nature of Short-Term Assessment Support Services.

STASS serves children who are:

•New to care or transitioning from unpaid placement, requiring assessment to understand service needs
•Returning to foster care after unauthorized absence or placement
•Transitioning after unplanned placement disruption
•In need of comprehensive assessment and evaluation to identify appropriate Service Package and placement

TBRI® in the Assessment Context

While STASS placements are short-term, children still experience trauma responses to placement changes and need the same trauma-informed, relational care provided in all our foster homes. All core TBRI® principles remain fully applicable:

Connecting Principles: Building trust and felt safety even in short-term placement
Empowering Principles: Meeting physical and emotional needs through predictable routines
Correcting Principles: Proactive teaching and IDEAL Response® during assessment period

The difference is not in HOW we care for children, but in the PURPOSE of the placement: stabilization and assessment rather than long-term treatment.

Assessment-Focused Enhancements

STASS adds the following specialized components to the TBRI® foundation:

Comprehensive Assessment Coordination

•CANS 3.0 within 21 days (ages 3-5) or 30 days (age 6+)
•Coordination of evaluations through STAR Health
•Educational testing and planning
•Behavioral observation and documentation
•Medical and dental assessments
•Early Childhood Intervention (if applicable)

Enhanced Service Coordination

•STAR Health assessment services coordination
•HHSC Behavioral Health coordination
•School enrollment and accommodations
•Transportation to multiple appointments
•Documentation for Service Planning team
•Transition planning to appropriate long-term placement

Staffing Structure

Position	Ratio/Requirement	STASS-Specific Role
Treatment Director	Required	Supervises Licensed Therapist; oversees assessment coordination
Licensed Therapist	1:12 ratio	Oversees assessment coordination and service planning; evaluates child's needs
Case Manager	1:12 ratio	Coordinates assessments; documents observations; develops transition plan
Crisis Management Staff	1:25 ratio	24/7 availability for assessment period stabilization
STASS Foster Parents	35-hour pre-service + 4-hour STASS training	TBRI® implementation; observation/documentation; assessment coordination support

Unknown History Considerations

Critical for Short-Term Assessment population

Children entering Short-Term Assessment often have limited or unknown histories, requiring specialized approaches for safety and accurate assessment.

Heightened Vigilance

• Assume potential for undisclosed trauma

• Enhanced monitoring during initial 72 hours

• Document all behavioral observations

• Watch for medical conditions or triggers

Expedited Safety Plan

Within 72 hours:

• Develop preliminary safety plan

• Update as patterns emerge

• Focus on immediate safety

• Gather assessment information

TBRI® Application

• Prioritize felt safety and predictability

• Use proactive strategies to minimize escalation

• Allow authentic behavior observation

• Document patterns for Service Package recommendation

2. Assessment and Observation Within TBRI® Framework

Foster parents and staff use TBRI® principles to create a stable, safe environment while simultaneously gathering critical assessment information:

Observational Assessment

Within the TBRI® framework, caregivers observe and document:

•Attachment behaviors: How child responds to connection attempts (Connecting Principles)
•Regulation capacity: Child's ability to self-regulate and co-regulate (Empowering Principles)
•Behavioral responses: How child responds to structure, teaching, and correction (Correcting Principles)
•Trauma indicators: Observed trauma responses and triggers
•Developmental functioning: Age-appropriate skills and delays
•Social interaction: Peer and adult relationships
•Educational needs: Learning challenges and strengths

Service Plan Development

Service Plans are developed within 30 days and reviewed monthly, with focus on:

•Assessment completion goals
•Immediate stabilization needs
•Information needed for appropriate Service Package determination
•Transition planning to long-term placement

3. Trauma-Informed Approach During Assessment Period

Children entering STASS placements often experience significant stress related to placement changes, previous trauma, or uncertainty about their future. Our TBRI® foundation ensures trauma-informed care during this vulnerable period.

Note: All children and caregivers in the STASS package receive the foundational TBRI® education outlined in the Basic Foster Family Home TBRI® Resource Guide, plus 4 hours of specialized short-term assessment skills training.

Stabilization Priority

Before comprehensive assessment can occur, children need stabilization. TBRI® principles provide:

•Immediate felt safety: Through consistent TBRI® Connecting strategies
•Predictable environment: Through TBRI® Empowering routines and structure
•Clear expectations: Through TBRI® Correcting teaching and life value terms
•Crisis support: Through IDEAL Response® and 24/7 availability

Family Engagement

STASS requires intensive family outreach and engagement:

•Identify and engage biological parents, relatives, and supportive persons
•Include family in assessment process when safe and appropriate
•Document family engagement efforts in Service Plan
•Share information with SSCC or DFPS caseworker for permanency planning

4. Appropriateness of Treatment Model for STASS

Why TBRI® Works for Short-Term Assessment

TBRI® is specifically appropriate for STASS because:

Immediate applicability: TBRI® strategies work from day one, providing stabilization quickly
Observational value: Child's response to TBRI® principles provides assessment data
Trauma-informed: Recognizes assessment period itself can be traumatic
Continuity of care: If child transitions to another Refuge House placement, TBRI® continues seamlessly
Universal application: Works regardless of child's ultimate Service Package determination

Assessment Timeline Compliance

Requirement	Timeline	Our Implementation
Comprehensive assessments coordinated	Within 21 days (ages ≤5) or 30 days (ages 6+)	Licensed Therapist oversees; Case Manager coordinates all services
CANS 3.0 administration	Within 21 days (ages 3-5) or 30 days (ages 6+)	Completed and used to inform Service Plan and next placement determination
Service Plan development	Initial within 30 days; reviewed monthly	TBRI®-informed plan focused on assessment goals and transition
Maximum length of service	30-45 days (age-dependent) + one 15-day extension	Policy includes anticipated length; transition planning begins immediately

Expected STASS Outcomes

Assessment Completion:

100% of children receive CANS 3.0 within required timeframe
Comprehensive assessment data gathered through STAR Health coordination
Educational needs identified and documented
Behavioral observations documented using TBRI® framework

Stabilization During Assessment:

Child experiences felt safety through TBRI® Connecting
Basic needs met through TBRI® Empowering
Crisis incidents managed using IDEAL Response®
Placement remains stable during assessment period

Successful Transition:

Appropriate Service Package determination based on comprehensive assessment
Smooth transition to long-term placement with complete assessment data
Family engagement documented for permanency planning
Service coordination established for ongoing needs

Through this TBRI®-based approach to Short-Term Assessment Support Services, we provide children with the trauma-informed, relational care they need during a vulnerable transition period while gathering comprehensive assessment data to inform appropriate long-term Service Package determination and placement decisions.

Related Resources:

TBRI® is a registered trademark of the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University

"A home is in the heart of every child."

Last Revised: December 10, 2025