and reunification efforts are crucial components of child welfare policy. These programs aim to keep families together or safely reunite them after separation, addressing underlying issues and strengthening family functioning through intensive support and resources.
Evidence-based models like and show promise in reducing out-of-home placements and improving outcomes. Social workers play a vital role in assessment, , and direct support throughout the reunification process, helping families overcome barriers to successful reunification.
Family preservation and reunification
Principles and goals
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The Eight Cultural Forces - The lens & the lever — The Learner's Way View original
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The experiences of social workers in the provision of family preservation services View original
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Parent- and Family-Focused Support in Portugal: Context and Analysis of Services/Programmes from ... View original
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The Eight Cultural Forces - The lens & the lever — The Learner's Way View original
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The experiences of social workers in the provision of family preservation services View original
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Children's best interests generally served by remaining with or returning to families of origin guides family preservation and reunification programs
Prevent unnecessary out-of-home placements and promote safe return of children to families when separation has occurred
Strengthen family functioning, enhance parenting skills, and address underlying issues leading to child welfare involvement
Offer intensive, short-term services to families in crisis to prevent child removal (family preservation programs)
Provide support and resources to facilitate safe return of children from out-of-home care (reunification efforts)
Emphasize strengths-based approach recognizing and building upon families' existing capabilities and resources
Ensure cultural competence with interventions sensitive to diverse family structures, values, and traditions (extended family networks, religious practices)
Program components and approaches
(IFPS) provide crisis intervention and support to families at imminent risk of child removal
Home-based services include counseling, parenting education, and concrete assistance (transportation, childcare)
Evidence-based models show promising results in reducing out-of-home placements and improving family functioning
Multisystemic Therapy (MST)
Functional (FFT)
Measure effectiveness through outcomes such as reduced child maltreatment rates, improved , and decreased future child welfare involvement
Conduct long-term follow-up studies to assess sustainability of positive outcomes
Balance family unity with child safety concerns through careful evaluation and monitoring
Perform cost-effectiveness analyses comparing intensive family preservation services expenses to potential out-of-home placement and long-term child welfare involvement costs
Effectiveness of family interventions
Assessment methods and outcomes
Measure effectiveness through reduced child maltreatment rates, improved family stability, and decreased likelihood of future child welfare involvement
Conduct long-term follow-up studies to assess sustainability of positive outcomes achieved through family preservation efforts
Perform cost-effectiveness analyses comparing intensive family preservation services expenses to potential out-of-home placement and long-term child welfare involvement costs
Evaluate program outcomes to address concerns about prioritizing family unity over child safety
Assess improvements in parenting skills, family communication, and overall household functioning
Monitor school attendance and academic performance of children as indicators of family stability
Track recidivism rates for families previously involved in child welfare system
Evidence-based models and their impact
Multisystemic Therapy (MST) targets serious juvenile offenders and their families
Reduces out-of-home placements
Improves family relationships
Decreases youth criminal behavior
Functional Family Therapy (FFT) focuses on at-risk youth and their families
Enhances family communication
Reduces youth substance abuse
Improves overall family functioning
(PCIT) addresses child behavior problems and improves parent-child relationships