The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Solution-Based Casework program has been rated by the CEBC in the area of: Casework Practice.

• Types of Maltreatment: Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Physical Neglect, Emotional Abuse, Exposure to Domestic Violence
• Target Population: Child abuse and neglect cases.

Solution-Based Casework is an approach to assessment, case planning, and ongoing casework. This approach targets specific everyday events in the life of a family that have caused the family difficulty and represent a situation in which at least one family member cannot reliably maintain the behavior that the family needs to accomplish its goals. The model combines the best of the problem-focused relapse prevention approaches that evolved from work with addiction, violence, and helplessness, with solution-focused models that evolved from family systems casework and therapy. By integrating the two approaches, partnerships between family, caseworker, and service providers can be developed that account for basic needs and restore the family’s pride in their own competence.

The approach was developed through consultation with workers and supervisors who were attempting to remedy problems contributing to re-occurrence of abuse and neglect. However, it is applicable to a wide range of family problems such as mental health or work related issues.

Solution-Based Casework has three basic goals:

Develop a partnership with the family:

• Assumes that the family members want to be successful
• Normalizes the stresses and challenges that have made solving the problem difficult.
• Isolates and externalizes the problem pattern

Focus on pragmatic everyday family life tasks, such as:

• Morning and evening routine
• Arranging for care of young family members
• Getting children up and off to school
• Arranging for supervision of older family members
• Caring for ill family members
• Keeping clean and healthy
• Controlling anger with family members or others
• Staying motivated to perform daily care tasks
• Controlling substance use that interferes with family life

Promote specific prevention skills tied to the family’s tasks:

• Identify high risk situations that lead to difficulties
• Identify early warning signals in the pattern
• Develop a plan to avoid the high risk situations
• Develop a plan to interrupt the pattern early if not avoided
• Have a backup or “escape” plan if all else fails

Solution-Based Casework has been shown to serve as a common conceptual framework for integrating disparate segments of a response network. Because the model provides for specific outcome skills necessary for relapse prevention, all providers in a service system can work toward common goals. Because the model utilizes a partnership approach based on what is successful, Solution-Based Casework provides a method for tapping a family’s competence without diminishing the absolute need to meet certain criteria. Developing partnerships that lead to identifiable solutions in everyday family life is the best way to prevent future relapse.

Solution-Based Casework was designed with a child component that addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms:

• Experiencing child maltreatment, abuse or neglect.

Age range: 0 – 17

Developmental Delays:

This program was not developed for children with developmental delays, and has not been tested for children with developmental delays.

Solution-Based Casework was designed with a parent/caregiver component that addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms:

• Has a child who experienced child maltreatment, abuse or neglect.

Solution-Based Casework was not designed to be conducted in a group setting, and has not been tested for use in a group setting.

Recommended Intensity:

Varies according to family needs.

Recommended Duration:

Varies according to family needs.

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Adoptive Home
• Birth Family Home
• Community Agency
• Foster Home
• Hospital
• Outpatient Clinic
• Residential Care Facility
• School

This program does not include a homework component.

Solution-Based Casework does not have materials available in a language other than English.

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

When a state or entity decides to change or adopt a practice model, it needs to train all levels, modify its initial new employee training academy, develop internal expertise, modify its information system and data forms, and address its printed materials at all levels.

There are no additional educational requirements aside from what is required by the child welfare agency for their caseworkers.

There is a manual that describes how to implement this program, and there is training available for this program.

Training Contact:

• Dana Christensen
  University of Louisville
  phone: (502) 852-8975

Training is obtained:

The training is most easily offered on site in Louisville, KY.

Number of days/hours:

The training length varies on the states needs, but an introduction and overview takes about 2 days, an initial training of trainers about 5 days, and then follow ups.

This program is rated a "3 - Promising Research Evidence" on the Scientific Rating Scale based on the published, peer-reviewed research available. The practice must have at least one study utilizing some form of control (e.g., untreated group, placebo group, matched wait list study) establishing the practice's benefit over the placebo, or found it to be comparable to or better than an appropriate comparison practice. Please see the Scientific Rating Scale for more information.

Child Welfare Outcome: Safety