| Many families with multiple problems come to the attention
of the DHS, and are in need of consistent and ongoing services, which will
enable them to significantly improve family functioning. The Families
Together/Building Solutions (FTBS) program is based on the belief that many
families can enhance their well-being and improve safety of the children
with the assistance of long-term in-home services. These families, while
in need of less intensive services, are not threatened with the risk of imminent
removal of a child from their homes; yet, if left without services or access
to necessary resources, the family could reach a point of crisis serious
enough to threaten family stability and lead to an eventual removal.
The FTBS program is short-term (up to 90 days, with an extension up to an
additional 90 days), in-home clinical counseling, and includes a solution-focused
group treatment option. FTBS is a moderately intensive, solution-focused
approach designed to serve families with multiple problems who could benefit
from such services. The FIA is the gateway for acceptance of families
for this service, and families may be referred from Children's Protective
Services, Foster Care Reunification, Delinquency Services and Prevention.
Program services are voluntary and without regard to family income.
The FTBS therapist provides a wide range of solution-focused services to
the family, based on Insoo Kim Berg's approach. These services may
include: building a positive family/therapist working relationship
by using solution-focused techniques, developing cooperation and defining
the problems to be worked on, collaborative goal-setting, enhancing family
functioning through the use of feedback and task-building interventions,
enhancing appropriate parenting skills, household management skills,
communication and conflict resolution skills, and enhancing the use of community
resources and linkages with follow-up services when appropriate.
Program Objectives
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Develop structure for the safety of children and all members of the family.
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Generate solutions to the problems faced by the family.
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Identify family strengths, assess and help the family develop goals for improving
functioning.
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With the family, to examine alternatives and determine options for working
on treatment goals.
Outcomes
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Ninety percent (90%) of families referred do not have a substantiated abuse
and/or neglect complaint during program participation.
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Ninety percent (90%) of families are satisfied with services at case closure.
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Ninety percent (90%) of families completing services do not require an
out-of-home placement within six (6) months of case closure.
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Eighty-five percent (85%) of families completing services do not require
an out-of-home placement within twelve (12) months of case closure.
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One hundred percent (100%) of families will exhibit improved family functioning
following intervention.
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One hundred percent (100%) of families will be involved in the design and
delivery of ongoing services necessary to improve family functioning.
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