Evidence Based Models

The Workforce Institute draws upon expertise from universities and other partners to issue innovative practices within and throughout child welfare. One of the critical ways in which this occurs is through utilization of Evidenced Based (and Evidence Informed) Models.

What are Evidenced Based Models?

In short, Evidenced Based Models (EBM) are strategies supported by scientific research, which have demonstrated results within a target population. EBMs are common in many industries and are constructed through controlled clinical studies. The empirical evidence drawn from these studies are then used to guide practice. The Workforce Institute is implementing and providing support on a number of projects, several of which are listed below.

Partnering for Success (PFS)

Partnering for Success (PfS) is an evidence-informed framework that builds relationships between the foster care and mental health systems to support appropriate behavioral and mental health care to children and families. PfS improves communication and referral pathways between the mental health and child welfare systems, and provides training to Foster Care Case Planners and Mental Health clinicians, to support the delivery of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, an evidence based therapeutic treatment model for children who are experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioral issues and/or trauma.

Attachment and Bio-behavioral Catch-up (ABC)

ABC is a coaching program for foster and birth parents of children from 6 months to 24-36 months. It pairs skilled coaches with foster and birth parents to help them better understand and care for the children in their households. This practice supports and strengthens a caretaker’s bond to the infant or toddler, is a protective factor against trauma or stress, and is associated with lifelong positive outcomes.

Enhancing Family Conferencing Initiative (EFCI)

EFCI is a model designed to assist caretakers when they become involved with Division of Child Protection (DCP) with the goal of aligning them with parent advocates who will guide them in the Child Safety Conference, help with scheduling of appointments, and provide education and information in a collaborative manner.

Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths – New York (CANS-NY)

CANS-NY is a trauma informed screening tool that is used with every child that comes into foster care placement. The tool measures the child’s needs and strengths to support better service planning and appropriate service delivery for improved child well-being.

Teaming

Teaming is a casework supervision approach, including team decision-making and case management. Supervisors coach case planners skills across all aspects of case management and family engagement from initial assessment, case plan development, goal setting, and action planning through to case closure. A unit’s expertise, rather than individual staff expertise, creates various solutions for problem solving and decision-making.

Family Assessment Response (FAR)

FAR is an effort to respond more flexibly to child abuse and neglect reports and to better meet individual family needs. In this system, families may receive either a traditional investigation or an alternative assessment response, depending upon the type of allegation made and other considerations. Also known as Differential Response, this intervention has empirical data supporting quality engagement and successful outcomes with families.

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