Milestone Foster Homes is committed to providing inclusive, equitable, and non-discriminatory services that recognize and respect the diverse identities, backgrounds, strengths, and needs of each client. Care is individualized and responsive to ethno-cultural, racial, linguistic, ancestral, religious, gender, and sexual diversity, including, and associate support needs. French-language services are provided in accordance with the French Language Service Act.
Individualized planning considers each client’s circumstances, preferences, and needs, including those related to gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, cultural identity, and geographic isolation. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis (FNIM) clients are supporting in preserving and strengthening their cultural identities and meaningful connections with their families, communities, traditions, and cultural practices.
All clients are supported in accessing leisure, recreational, social, and cultural opportunities that promote personal development, positive relationships, well-being, and a sense of belonging. Services are planned and delivered in a manner that respects each client’s individuality and promotes meaningful participation in decisions affecting their care.
Program Approach and Clinical Services
Milestone provides therapeutic, out-of-home care to children and youth of all ages and genders through its Foster Care and Staff Model programs. Regardless of the type of placement, clients are provided with trauma-informed, relational, and identity-responsive approaches, individualized planning that supports stability and well being, and transitions toward permanency.
Referrals to Milestone are coordinated though Milestone’s Placement Department and are assessed based on suitability, available capacity, individual support requirements, and the needs of other clients in the home. Additional supports beyond established program resources are identifies and evaluated during the referral process and as needs evolve.
All clients have access to Milestone’s clinical model, including triage, individualized levels of intervention, clinical planning meetings, consultations, and direct therapeutic services, as appropriate. All programs are supported by Milestone clinical, administrative, case management, and management teams, along with 24-hour on-call support.
Foster Homes
Milestone’s foster homes provide therapeutic, family-based care in homes accommodating a maximum of four clients. Individual home capacities may be established at one, two, or three placements through the homestudy process.
Placement decisions consider the needs of the clients, the capacity and strengths of the foster family, and the needs of other clients in the home.
Foster families receive ongoing support form their assigned Resource Worker, Case Management Supervisor and Milestone’s broader professional and clinician teams, including rostered Child and Youth Care practitioners and clinicians.
Staff Model Programs
Milestone staff model programs provide therapeutic care in staffed homes accommodating a maximum of two clients per home. Programs maintain a minimum staffing ratio of 1:2, with a best-practice ratio of 3:2 during awake hours. Staffing is considered according to individual needs.
Placement suitability considers therapeutic, identity-related, and staffing requirements, as well as compatibility with any existing client. Pre-placement planning typically occurs over 7-30 days and includes collaboration with referring agencies and stakeholders, comprehensive assessment of needs, individualized support and safety planning, and client-specific training, as required.
Program are supported by front-line staff, a Program Lead, Staff Model Supervisor, case management personnel, clinical personnel, Staff Support Coordinator, and Milestone’s broader professional teams.
Staff Model placements are generally intended to provide interim stabilization and therapeutic support unless the client’s needs and referring agency indicate that a longer-term placement is appropriate.
