History
History
“We need programs that promote positive youth development in multiple realms and foster healthy futures for all our youth by identifying and nurturing their strengths.”
Heather Taussig, Founder
The Fostering Healthy Futures® program was developed by Heather Taussig and her colleagues (Sara Culhane, Daniel Hettleman, and Ann Petrila) in 2002. During Heather’s training as a clinical psychologist, she worked with children in foster care and felt that they would benefit from greater opportunities to engage in prosocial activities that would strengthen their social-emotional skills and set them on a positive trajectory during adolescence.
Further, since many children in foster care experience living transitions, which may result in changes in neighborhoods, schools, and service providers, Heather felt that a stable, non-parental adult support could be especially powerful. Having been a mentor herself during her clinical training, Heather felt that highly-trained mentors (i.e., graduate students in clinical training) might have a unique opportunity to support children in out-of-home care during difficult times, as well as foster their positive development.
As a result of the efforts of committed staff, dedicated graduate-student mentors, the trust of the child welfare system, and most importantly, the partnership with over 800 children and their families, Fostering Healthy Futures® is doing just that - one child at a time!
Fostering Healthy Futures® and the associated logo are registered trademarks of the Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate.