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Results from a family finding experiment

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  • Landsman, Miriam J.
  • Boel-Studt, Shamra
  • Malone, Kelli

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of family-finding, a child welfare practice approach that provides intensive search and engagement efforts for children in foster care and their families with the objectives of strengthening family connections and permanency. We used an experimental design with randomization to family finding or a control group. The family finding approach was more effective than standard child welfare services in engaging a larger network of family and kin, in facilitating a greater number of family team meetings, and in ensuring that every child in care has at least one supportive emotional connection with an adult. Children receiving family finding were more likely to be adopted by relatives and less likely to age out of care without permanency resolution, but other forms of permanency, number of placement disruptions, and subsequent substantiated maltreatment reports did not differ between groups. As a method for strengthening family connections, the evidence in support of family finding is clear; as a mechanism for physical permanency resolution, mixed results from this experiment indicate a need for further research on family finding for specific permanency outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Landsman, Miriam J. & Boel-Studt, Shamra & Malone, Kelli, 2014. "Results from a family finding experiment," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 62-69.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:36:y:2014:i:c:p:62-69
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.10.025
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sheets, Janess & Wittenstrom, Kim & Fong, Rowena & James, Joyce & Tecci, Michael & Baumann, Donald J. & Rodriguez, Carolyne, 2009. "Evidence-based practice in family group decision-making for Anglo, African American and Hispanic families," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(11), pages 1187-1191, November.
    2. Pennell, Joan & Edwards, Myles & Burford, Gale, 2010. "Expedited family group engagement and child permanency," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(7), pages 1012-1019, July.
    3. Rauktis, Mary E. & McCarthy, Sharon & Krackhardt, David & Cahalane, Helen, 2010. "Innovation in child welfare: The adoption and implementation of Family Group Decision Making in Pennsylvania," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 732-739, May.
    4. Lee, Linda J., 2011. "Adult visitation and permanency for children following residential treatment," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(7), pages 1288-1297, July.
    5. Davis, Inger P. & Landsverk, John & Newton, Rae & Ganger, William, 1996. "Parental visiting and foster care reunification," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(4-5), pages 363-382.
    6. Stott, Tonia & Gustavsson, Nora, 2010. "Balancing permanency and stability for youth in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 619-625, April.
    7. Geen, Rob & Berrick, Jill Duerr, 2002. "Kinship care: an evolving service delivery option," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(1-2), pages 1-14.
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    Cited by:

    1. Semanchin Jones, Annette, 2017. "Youth Connections Scale-Child Version pilot study: Adapted tool for children in out-of-home placement," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 450-455.
    2. Tony McGinn & Paul Best & Jason Wilson & Admire Chereni & Mphatso Kamndaya & Aron Shlonsky, 2020. "Family group decision‐making for children at risk of abuse or neglect: A systematic review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(3), September.
    3. Sharon Vandivere & Karin E. Malm & Tiffany J. Allen & Sarah Catherine Williams & Amy McKlindon, 2017. "A Randomized Controlled Trial of Family Finding," Evaluation Review, , vol. 41(6), pages 542-567, December.
    4. Leon, Scott C. & Saucedo, Deborah J. & Jachymiak, Kristin, 2016. "Keeping it in the family: The impact of a Family Finding intervention on placement, permanency, and well-being outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 163-170.
    5. Okland, Idun & Oterholm, Inger, 2022. "Strengthening supportive networks for care leavers: A scoping review of social support interventions in child welfare services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    6. Smith, Annie & Peled, Maya & Horton, Katie & Martin, Stephanie, 2023. "Engaging care leavers as youth researchers to assess the feasibility of a family finding model," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).

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