Attachment & biobehavioral catch-up participation & reunification in a family treatment court

Children impacted by substances are at increased risk for child welfare involvement, which often leads to out-of-home care. Substance use disorder (SUD) impacts the family unit, and thus, prevention and intervention efforts need to target the family, not just the individual with a SUD. There are efficacious interventions for families impacted by SUD, but limited information exists on family reunification outcomes following services.

This study examined whether participation in the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up (ABC) model was associated with a higher likelihood of reunification among families involved with a family treatment court (FTC) per conditions of an open child welfare case.

The study sample includes a total of 215 children from 112 families, ages six months to forty-seven months, and their caregivers, all enrolled in an FTC due to SUD. Children were considered exposed to the intervention (N = 39; 18.1 %) if either they or a sibling participated with either a biological or foster parent. The ABC treatment was delivered by a trained therapist either in the home or via telehealth.

74 % of children exposed to the ABC model reunified by study end compared to 57 % of children who were not exposed to the intervention. In a multivariable Cox regression model controlling for covariates, reunification was driven by cases with biological parent participation. Compared to no exposure, cases with biological parent exposure were 2.3 times more likely to reunify. Reunification was not impacted by foster parent exposure.

Families impacted by substances need interventions that target the caregiver-child dyad. Facilitating family bonding and attachment with direct caregiver involvement is critical to serving caregivers and their children. This study shows the ABC model, particularly when delivered to biological parent-child dyads, is associated with a higher likelihood of reunification for children in child welfare, an outcome that, when safe, secure, and stable, critically improves long-term, healthy development.