Suchergebnisse

Multidimensional Evidence-Based Practice (MEBP) is a new and comprehensive approach to determining best practices in social services. MEBP improves upon traditional evidence-based approaches by incorporating the views of consumers and professionals, qualitative research and values

Emerging adulthood is a phase in the life course recently identified by developmental theorists. For youth in foster care, recent federal legislation in the United States has engendered new programs, typically called independent living programs, to help them become successful adults. This qualitative study reports the findings of interviews with a diverse sample of 27 current and former foster youths in a Midwestern state, focusing on the quantity and quality of independent living services received. The youths reported hopeful expectations and plans for their futures, widespread support for postcustody benefit programs, mixed opinions about the utilization and effectiveness of existing independent living programs, significant educational delays associated with frequent placements while in out-of-home custody, and strong attachments to families of origin.

Children with serious emotional and behavioral disorders present strong challenges to families and professionals who attempt to care for them at home. This longitudinal, exploratory study examines the placement-threatening crises experienced by nine Minnesota families during an 18-month period. The findings encourage critical reevaluation of placement-prevention programs, highlighting the importance of informal support systems, longstanding family supports, attitudes of professionals, and the role of medications.

Adultcentrism is the tendency of adults to view children and their problems from a biased, adult perspective, thus creating barriers to effective practice with children. The author (1) examines the roots of social work's adultcentrism in history and developmental theory, (2) discusses how adultcentrism influences practice, and (3) considers ways in which practitioners can combat adultcentrism in practice.

The worker–client relationship is examined from two distinct general systems perspectives. The author contends that the social work profession has adopted the more traditional of these perspectives, resulting in a skewed conceptualization of the appropriate role of the worker vis-à-vis the client.

Programs to reunice children in state custody with their families and communities have not proliferated to the same extent as have programs designed to prevent placement. Although reunification is generally recognized as a more complex and formidable undertaking, the nature and extent of the obstacles to reunification are not fully understood. The authors report on five major systems barriers to reunification that were identified through a pilot case management project in a midwestern state. Knowledge of these obstacles can help officials create a context in which reunification programs have optimal opportunity to succeed.

In this paper, it is asserted that successful interagency collaborations require commitment to a shared value base as the core dimension of the joint efforts. A rationale framework that places family-centered principles at the core is provided, and how these principles translate into specific behaviors, attitudes, and policies on all levels within and between organizations is outlined. This template can provide guidance to local and state policy makers involved in reforming systems of care.

Young children in psychiatric crisis present complex challenges to their families and service providers. This article presents a qualitative study of families' perspectives on the crisis that led to their child's hospitalization, as well as their experience and satisfaction with prior community-based services including crisis services. Results of the study support the usefulness of an ecological view on child mental health emergencies, and specify the need for the development of a more family-centered, community-based crisis response system that includes secure transportation and access to "warm-line" services. To prevent or curtail hospitalization of children, families require assistance in outpatient medication management, especially timely access to psychiatric medication consults and clear information from professionals about benefits and side effects.