Family Involvement in Treatment Foster Care

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Family Psychology
• Social Work in Healthcare

Background:

• Family-driven practice is increasingly adopted in child mental health policy and practice.
• Evidence supports family involvement in residential treatment, but less is known about its role in treatment foster care.
• Treatment foster care (TFC) is a critical service for youth with significant mental health needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine family involvement in a statewide randomized trial of treatment foster care.
• To identify types of family involvement, factors influencing it, and its association with placement outcomes.
• To inform research, policy, and practice regarding family engagement in TFC.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from a statewide randomized trial of treatment foster care.
• Assessment of recent family contact and family participation in treatment planning.
• Examination of factors associated with family involvement and subsequent placement outcomes.

Main Results:

• Nearly 80% of youth in treatment foster care experienced recent family contact or participated in treatment planning.
• Specific types of family involvement and associated factors were identified.
• The study provides empirical data on the extent and nature of family involvement in TFC.

Conclusions:

• Family involvement is prevalent in treatment foster care, with most youth having recent contact or planning participation.
• Findings underscore the need to further understand and support family engagement in TFC for improved youth outcomes.
• Implications for enhancing research, policy, and practice to optimize the role of families in TFC are discussed.