The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Accelerated Reunification Model program has been reviewed by the CEBC in the area of: Family Stabilization, but lacks the necessary research evidence to be given a Scientific Rating.

• Types of Maltreatment: Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse
• Target Population: Families involved in the first time removal of a child within 24 - 48 hours of removal.

The Accelerated Reunification Model (ARM) involves a short-term intervention used with families experiencing a first time removal of a child due to imminent jeopardy. The goal is to facilitate a safe and rapid reunification in order to prevent lengthier out-of-home placements that result not from the imminent jeopardy to the child, but from the need to address other family risk factors that in and of themselves would not necessitate out-of-home placement. Casey’s Lifelong Families model is used to involve both the family’s natural support systems as well as collaterals and community support services that can assist the family once ARM interventions have ended. Facilitated visits for the purpose of assessment can be provided for the initial 15 days of the 30 day pre-reunification period. A need for extended facilitated visits, particularly for safety reasons, are an indication that ARM is not appropriate and other reunification services and supports should be provided.

The goals of the Accelerated Reunification Model (ARM) are to:

• Increase the number of successful reunifications as evidenced by the number of families who had been reunified within the model’s timeframes at the point of case closing.
• Decrease rate of recidivism as evidenced by reports from the referring Division for Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) offices on the status of cases closed 6 months or longer
• Reduce risk factors present at time of referral as evidenced by the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale - General and Reunification (NCFASG+R) at intake and case closing.
• Link every family to a Family Resource Center (FRC) in a meaningful way as evidenced by documentation of client participation in at least one FRC service as well as efforts to provide the family with information on the availability of services.
• Increase parenting capabilities as evidenced by the scores of the Adult/Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI) administered at intake and case closing.