The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare

Child and Family Service Review

Child and Family Web Guide

Books:

Practical Tools for Foster Parents

Lana Temple-Plotz, Ted Stricklett, Christina Baker, Michael Sterba (Eds)2002Boys Town Press

Abstract: This article is based on research & practice experience from projects & cases in both public child welfare agencies & private adoption agencies. Here, the authors summarize the research on sibling relationships, including a description of sibling relationships in families where children have been abused & neglected. The authors also discuss the barriers in child welfare that can result in the separation of siblings. Finally, they offer best practice solutions that support maintaining sibling relationships throughout temporary & permanent placement. An assessment tool to assist in the decision-making process for the placement of siblings is also included. This tool will help practitioners think systematically about the placement of siblings in order to make the best decisions. 2 Figures, 35 References. Adapted from the source document.

Abstract: This article summarizes the background & basic concepts of evidence-based practice (EBP), contrasts EBP with traditional approaches, & examines how EBP fits within child welfare & child maltreatment related service systems. The emerging recommendations of best practice workgroups are reviewed, along with evidence across a range of child welfare target areas, including prevention, treatment & foster care settings. The article concludes with a review of challenges & possible solutions for implementing EBPs in child welfare & child maltreatment related service systems. 1 Table, 43 References. [Copyright 2004 Elsevier B.V.].

Abstract: Concurrent permanency planning policy mandates heighten the need to evaluate effective family reunification practices. This retrospective practice-based study examines positive family reunification outcomes at a New York City foster care agency. It uses a qualitative clinical data-mining methodology and the Professional Review Action Group case review model to conduct an intensive examination of 18 families' case records. Families were mandated into care for neglect, domestic violence, or substance abuse. This paper identifies family characteristics and strength-based casework practices that emerge during examination of the foster care reunification process. The family characteristics examined include (a) family attachment bonds, (b) separation anxiety (c) reunification ambivalence, and (d) intergenerational family patterns. In addition, 3 casework practices emerge: (a) the worker's active support of resiliency in family attachment; (b) the worker's attention to the resolution of placement separation anxiety and family reunification ambivalence, and (c) the worker's attention to intergenerational family patterns. Practice implications for refinement of foster care best practices are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Title: Transition from School to Adult Life: Empowering Youth Through Community Ownership and Accountability.
Author: Lehman, Constance M, Clark, Hewitt B, Bullis, Michael, Rinkin, Judith, Castellanos, Louis A.
Publication: Journal of Child & Family Studies; Mar2002, Vol. 11 Issue 1, p127-141, 15p
Abstract: The evolution of transition services for youth with disabilities illustrates the transformation that has occurred from a systems-driven to a youth-centered support approach. This article documents how this shift has occurred. We review research that has influenced the direction of national policies and practices. A chronology of the policies that best represent the seminal foundation for current transition best practices for youth with emotional disturbance (ED) is presented. The field of special education led the way toward articulating the new vision for providing transition support by defining services as the coordination of multiple systems to address life domains (e.g., post-secondary education, employment, independent living, and community adjustment). Promising practices, within the context of the conversion to an ecological model of support that contributes to youth self-determination, include utilization of a youth-centered, strengths-based approach to transition planning, beginning in the middle school years. There remain significant barriers to adoption of the practices that may best support the successful transition of youth. These include lack of coordinated efforts across systems, socioeconomic, and community factors. Committed actions by government, the business sector, and private citizens are essential to address these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] 

Title: Closing the Quality Chasm in Child Abuse Treatment: Identifying and Disseminating Best Practices: The Findings of the Kaufmann Best Practices Project to Help Children Heal from Child Abuse
http://www.chadwickcenter.org/Documents/Kaufman%20Report/ChildHosp-NCTAbrochure.pdf

Title: Best practices: states' success stories.
Published: 2002
Available from: National Resource Center for Foster Care and Permanency Planning.
http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp
Hunter College School of Social Work;129 East 79th Street New York, NY 10021
PrintableVersion(PDF): http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/downloads/newsletter/ppt-summer-2002.pdf
Abstract: This journal issue highlights best practices among States for achieving permanency for children in care. The first article discusses the importance of the case plan in achieving permanency and the need for parental involvement in developing the plan. Using the actual data derived from the Final Reports of State Child and Family Services Reviews in several States, the article describes the core elements that must be included in developing competent case planning to facilitate permanency for children and youth in out-of-home care. Strategies are shared for gathering information, sharing information in the case plan, and monitoring movement toward permanency. An Alabama case plan is included to illustrate the individualized service planning process. The following articles focus on recruiting, supporting, and retaining foster and adoptive parents, and describe successful efforts in Iowa and New Jersey. A fourth article addresses inter-State placement and the impact on time to permanency for children in the public foster care system. Statistics are reported that indicate that although many children in out-of-State placements achieve permanency, it takes longer for children in out-of-State placements to achieve it than for children in in-State placements. Factors that may be influencing these longer lengths of stay for children placed across State lines are explored. The final article describes the development of structured decision-making (SDM) procedures for foster care in Michigan. Components of the Foster Care SDM case management system are explained and include structured assessments for developing the Initial Service Plan, and a Reunification Assessment for developing the Updated Service Plan (USP) and assessing parenting time and the reduction of risk to the children. The newsletter concludes with a review of recent publications on foster care.

Title: Promising best practices in permanency planning.
Published: 2001
Journal Name: Permanency planning today. Summer 2001, p. 1-20
Available from: National Resource Center for Foster Care and Permanency Planning.
http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp
Hunter College School of Social Work;129 East 79th Street New York, NY 10021
Printableversion(PDF): http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/downloads/newsletter/ppt-summer-2001.pdf
Abstract: This journal special issue focuses on promising best practices in permanency planning for children and youth in foster care. In the first article, the federal Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) are explained. The seven targeted outcomes are identified and include: children are protected from abuse and neglect; children are safely maintained in their own homes whenever possible; children have permanency and stability in their living situations; the continuity of family relationships and connections are preserved for children; families have enhanced capacity to provide for their children's needs; children receive appropriate services to meet their educational needs; and children receive adequate services to meet their physical and mental health needs. The review process is outlined, and performance indicators and Program Improvement Plans are described. The following article reports results from a State survey conducted by the National Resource Center for Foster Care and Permanency Planning in partnership with the Casey National Center for Resource Family Support, on licensing resource families for foster care and/or adoption. Emerging implementation issues learned from dual licensing experiences and best practices for implementing dual licensure are shared. The third article highlights a child welfare agency that uses a Task-Centered Team Approach for providing services to children. The team is assigned 50-60 children, (approximately the same number as 20 children per worker), and is comprised of a Social Work Manager who had an MSW; a Field Worker with a Bachelor's degree; and an Office Expediter, who had a Bachelor's degree plus child welfare experience in this system. Other articles in the newsletter address: the use of the Family Group Decision Making approach in Minnesota, the development of a collaborative to offer hands-on assistance to State/local jurisdictions in planning to implement the permanency provisions of the Adoption and Safe Families Act, strategies for developing working connections with the community, and training and technical assistance initiatives conducted by the National Resource Center for Foster Care and Permanency Planning at the Hunter College School of Social Work. The newsletter concludes with a review of recent publications on foster care. 

Title: Finding, preparing and supporting foster and adoptive parent resources.
Published: 2000
Journal Name: Permanency planning today. v. 1, 2, Fall/Winter 2000, p. 1-20
Available from: National Resource Center for Foster Care and Permanency Planning.
http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp
129 East 79th Street New York, NY 10021
Printableversion(PDF): http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/downloads/newsletter/ppt-fall-winter-2000.pdf
Abstract: This journal focuses on finding, preparing, and supporting foster and adoptive family resources for children and youth in need of out-of-home care, protection, and permanency. Following an introduction that discusses the difficulties faced by foster children and the shortage of foster parents, the first article discusses research findings on why foster parents leave the child welfare system and strategies for retaining foster parents. Key principles for successfully retaining foster parents are shared and include: agencies respond to foster parent inquiries in a timely manner, providing information that fully explains the application process, training process, and other expectations; foster parents participate in a mutual family assessment process which encourages them to look at their own abilities, motivations, and qualifications in light of the children they hope to foster (and maybe adopt); foster parents receive competency based pre-service training that clearly defines the challenges of foster care; foster parents experience a relationship with the agency that is exemplified by mutual sharing of information and ready access to worker support; foster parents have a clear understanding of their role as a team member; foster parents have access to training opportunities; and foster parents have access to a support network of experienced foster/adoptive parents, caseworkers, and professionals when challenges and crises occur. Following articles address: the recruitment and retention of foster families for children with special needs; recommendations for retention and recruitment of foster care resource families from a veteran social worker; the Illinois Corporate Partnership for Recruitment of Adoptive Families Project; new roles for foster parents and the value of keeping an open relationship between the birth mother and foster parents; the experiences of a former foster child and recommendations for improving services; and how family foster care affects foster children. The newsletter closes with a list of additional resources. 

Title: Evaluation of Michigan's foster care case management system.
Author(s): Johnson, Kristen.; Wagner, Dennis.
Published: 2005
Journal Name: Research on Social Work Practice
v. 15, 5, September 2005, p. 372-380
Available from: Sage Publications http://www.sagepub.com/
2455 Teller Road ,Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
Abstract: In 1997, Michigan's Family Independence Agency piloted case management procedures designed to expedite permanency and improve services to children in foster care. A 3-year evaluation examined outcomes in nine pilot and nine comparison counties to determine if children in the pilot counties achieved permanency, either returned home or another permanent arrangement, more rapidly than those in the comparison counties. Preceding implementation, pilot and comparison counties employed the same case management procedures and had similar records of achieving permanency for children entering foster care. After implementation, pilot counties attained permanency for a significantly greater proportion of children entering foster care than did comparison counties. This difference was observed for subgroups defined by child ethnicity, initial placement type, and child age, although the differences were not always significant. Pilot counties were more likely to reunify children post implementation than were comparison counties, and these children were no more likely to re-enter foster care. (Author abstract) 

Title: Effectiveness of Intensive Family Preservation Programs
Summary: A comparison of outcomes for 14 programs that used intensive family preservation services (IFPS) found that 4 programs that adhered closely to the Homebuilders® model significantly reduced out-of-home placement and subsequent abuse and neglect. On the other hand, the non-Homebuilders programs produced no significant effect on either outcome.

The Homebuilders program is designed to provide intensive services to families at imminent risk of removal of their children. Families in the program are assigned to a single therapist who has a caseload of no more than two or three families and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for a period of 4 to 6 weeks. The services usually take place in the home and include parenting and other skills to empower the family to solve their problems and provide a safe home environment.

This study, Intensive Family Preservation Programs: Program Fidelity Influences Effectiveness, is available on the Washington State Institute for Public Policy website:

http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/rptfiles/06-02-3901.pdf

Conferences

• Treatment Foster Care: Withstanding the Test of Time
• Foster Family-Based Treatment Association http://www.ffta.org/conference/index.html