Implementing a Child Mental Health Intervention in Child Welfare Services: Stakeholder Perspectives on Feasibility.

This pilot study integrated quantitative and qualitative data to examine the feasibility of implementing a modified version of a multiple family group behavioral parent training intervention (The 4Rs and 2Ss for Strengthening Families Program [4Rs and 2Ss]) in child welfare (CW) placement prevention services, from the perspectives of participating caregivers (n = 12) and CW staff (n = 12; i.e., 6 caseworkers, 4 supervisors, and 2 administrators). Quantitative surveys were administered to caregivers and CW staff followed by semi-structured interviews to examine the feasibility of implementing the modified 4Rs and 2Ss program, as well as factors impacting feasibility. Results indicated that quantitative benchmarks for high feasibility were met in all assessed areas (e.g., family recruitment, caseworker fidelity ratings, CW staff feasibility ratings) except for family attendance, which was markedly lower than desired. Factors facilitating feasibility included agency and research support, intervention ease-of-use, perceived benefits to existing CW practice, as well as logistical support (e.g., food, transportation, childcare) promoting attendance. Factors hindering feasibility included conflicts between research-based eligibility criteria and existing client population demographics, research-related processes resulting in delays, CW staff role conflicts, added workload burden, complex family issues, and power differentials inherent to CW services which complicated families' voluntary participation.

Underexamined points of vulnerability for black mothers in the child welfare system: The role of number of births, age of first use of substances and criminal justice involvement.

Black mothers and their children continue to interface with the child welfare (CW) system at unacceptably high rates. With research into traditionally understood contributing factors such as poverty, substance use, mental health and intimate partner violence abounding, this study sought to identify underexamined factors that potentially sustain very high rates of CW involvement for Black mothers. A sample of 415 Black mothers who accessed financial assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program was analyzed for the factors associated with active CW involvement. Analytic procedures included, first, independent t-test and chi-square tests to determine significant group differences. Second, logistic regression was used to test a range of psychosocial risk factors for active CW involvement. Results from our final model indicated three factors beyond those typically associated with CW involvement, number of births, age at first use of cocaine and legal involvement. The standout impact of having a history of CW involvement is also discussed. Implications for policy and practice are explored.

Caregiver-relevant perspectives from a multi-stakeholder collaborative advisory board on adapting a child mental health intervention to be delivered in child-welfare settings.

Adapting evidence based mental health interventions (EBI) to be provided in child welfare (CW) settings by CW workers could reduce barriers to families receiving mental health care. In order to promote implementation success, the adaptation of EBIs should include the perspectives of those who deliver and those who receive the EBI. The following study uses qualitative methods to elicit and analyze caregiver-relevant perspectives and adaption recommendations from CW stakeholders about the 4Rs and 2Ss Strengthening Families Program, an EBI for youth disruptive behavior disorders, to be implemented in CW settings. Recommendations included adjusting curriculum to better fit the culture of recipients and conveying the importance of openness and respect to providers.