For case workers at the Weld County Department of Human Services (DHS), advocacy doesn’t end when the workday does — and it doesn’t stop just because the county line does either. 

As part of the Weld County Child Welfare team, Clinical Care Coordinator Madison Sanders is one of several professionals who travel across Colorado and out of state to support youth in treatment. For the past two years, that work has included supporting a 15‑year‑old Weld County youth in residential treatment. His life has been marked by instability since early childhood, moving in and out of placements from an early age. But one constant since 2024 — the bridge between chaos and connection — has been Sanders and the Weld County Child Welfare team. 

“In the years we’ve worked with him, there have been many highs and lows,” Sanders said. “He often talked about feeling isolated and like no one was in his corner. But through every setback and every search for stability, we were right there. And eventually, he let himself lean on support — and began to believe that he truly mattered."

As the Child Welfare team helps prepare him to discharge from his treatment program later this year, DHS is searching for a foster home back here in Weld County where he can continue that progress. But for youth with higher behavioral and emotional needs — often referred to as high-acuity youth — traditional foster homes may not offer the level of structure required to help them succeed. 

“Children impacted by trauma have learned to keep their defenses high,” Sanders said. “They might fall back into old patterns because that’s what feels familiar. But what makes the difference is an adult who continues to show up, even when they struggle, and shows them they’re worthy of care and stability.” 

That need is what led DHS to explore developing a Professional Foster Care program, designed specifically for high-acuity youth who are ready to thrive in a family environment but require more training, consistency, and day-to-day guidance.  

“Our professional foster care parents will never be alone when navigating a situation,” Sanders said. “We know that kids aren’t a nine-to-five job. We have supports in place to ensure success for our youth and parents. We’re just a phone call away.”    

Professional foster parenting is structured as a full-time role. Foster parents in this program complete 32 hours of specialized training, which includes trauma-informed care, behavior management, mental and behavioral health, confidentiality, and cultural competence. They also work closely with a team of professionals — clinical staff, caseworkers, and service providers — so youth have consistent guidance across home and treatment environments. 

In 2022, Weld County became one of two counties in Colorado to launch a therapeutic foster care program, which created a framework for supporting youth with higher needs in a family environment. The Professional Foster Care program builds on that foundation by offering a higher level of care for youth. 

Weld County is working with the Colorado Department of Human Services to gain formal approval for the program, positioning the county to once again be among the leaders in Colorado providing specialized foster care for youth with complex needs. Currently, four Weld County youth are preparing to transition out of psychiatric or residential facilities, underscoring the need for homes within the county that can meet their unique needs.  

“These kids are ready for more,” Sanders said. “They’ve put in the work. What they need now is a home that can meet them where they are and walk with them through what comes next.” 

For the young man preparing to discharge from residential treatment, that next step is critical. He has made meaningful progress in treatment and is preparing to transition out of a highly structured environment.  

“He dreams of having a dog and wants to become a pilot,” Sanders explained. “He wants more for himself and just needs the support to get there.”  

The Weld County team continues to be there for him through every stage of that process. They have helped guide him through some of the most difficult moments in his life — witnessing both setbacks and breakthroughs. They have been there to remind him that his future can look different than his past. But they know, without the right placement, there is a risk of losing that progress.  

Now, the goal is finding someone who will help continue his progress. Not just for now, but for the long term. Until then, the team at Weld County will continue making monthly out-of-state trips, picking up the phone in times of crisis, and ensuring this young man — and other high-acuity youth — know there is always an adult in their corner.