The field of children's mental health is currently very interested in determining which interventions are most effective for treating youth with serious emotional disturbance. Before it is possible to assess and interpret effectiveness, it is necessary to operationalize an intervention so that variations in implementation can be examined. This has proved to be difficult for many contemporary community-based approaches to treatment. Without this step, we have no way of knowing whether we are comparing similar interventions, or simply interventions that share a common label. Also, there is no way to disentangle key dimensions of the intervention when positive or negative results occur. In short, we are comparing "black boxes" with little opportunity to increase knowledge that will be relevant to policy, treatment, or theory. This presentation reports on operationalizing implementation for one type of prevalent community-based treatment – Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC). Data come from an ongoing large-scale study of TFC for youth with SED in a southeastern state. Interviews were conducted with administrators of TFC programs (n=42) and with Treatment Foster Parents (n=150). Results show considerable homogeneity and conformity on some domains among programs (e.g., program statements, prompt initial treatment plans) and substantial variation on others (e.g., staffing ratios, training for Treatment Parents). Findings will be compared to Standards of Care for TFC. The presentation will discuss conceptual and methodological issues in assessing implementation for studies of treatment effectiveness.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to: List Standards of care for Therapeutic Foster Care. Discuss issues related to operationalizing TFC. Evaluate variations in TFC implementation
Keywords: Child/Adolescent Mental Health, Evidence Based Practice
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.