The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Together Facing the Challenge program has been rated by the CEBC in the area of: Resource Parent Recruitment and Training.

• Types of Maltreatment: Does not target any specific kind of maltreatment
• Target Population: Treatment foster parents and agency staff

Together Facing the Challenge is a training/consultation approach to improving practice in treatment foster care (TFC). The intervention was built from a naturalistic study of “usual care” TFC to determine what practice components were related to improved outcomes for youth. It also incorporates elements from existing evidence-based treatments to fill identified gaps in usual care practice. The resulting model includes training/consultation for TFC supervisors as well as training for treatment foster parents. Together Facing the Challenge is designed as a train-the-trainer approach, so that TFC administrative/supervisory personnel can learn the training and model and train treatment foster parents.

This program will provide training on practical parenting and supervisory skills and techniques. The goal of the program is that, at the end, both therapeutic foster parents and supervisors alike will:

• Build therapeutic relationships
• Perform and teach cooperation skills
• Implement effective parenting techniques (communicate effectively, set expectations, reinforce positive behavior, avoid power struggles, etc.)
• Prepare youth for their future by teaching independence skills
• Create a positive home environment through family fun time, taking care of self, family meetings, etc.

The program strives to improve outcomes for youth served in therapeutic foster care settings.

Together Facing the Challenge provides comprehensive training for both agency staff and treatment foster care parents that:

• Builds a therapeutic relationship – recognizes the significance of the therapeutic relationship by exhibiting both verbal and non-verbal behaviors that include:
• Encouragement
• Showing a genuine interest
• Identifying common ground
• Having a positive attitude
• Being patient, understanding, consistent, and following through
• Teaches cooperation – is able to balance use of implementing effective corrective discipline strategies and techniques within the context of a supportive and therapeutic environment.
• Addresses thoughts, feelings, and behavior – demonstrates ability to assist child in recognizing, talking, about, and dealing with difficult thoughts and feelings that emerge; helps the child to understand how their thoughts and feelings can impact their behavior.
• Interrupts the conflict cycle – is able to identify conflicts that take place and demonstrates ability to effectively intervene by de-escalating the situation.
• Utilizes problem solving techniques - demonstrates ability to use a problem solving model to address a specific problem by defining it clearly, generating multiple solutions, and selecting best solution based on outcomes.
• Teaches relevant life skills – demonstrates ability to transform daily living activities into learning opportunities to assist youth in the development of independent living skills.
• Takes care of self – is able to recognize the impact that stress has on their life, the ‘warning signs’ that make them aware of it, and the specific strategies they use to manage their stress level while taking time for self on a regularly scheduled basis.

Together Facing the Challenge was not designed with a child component.

Together Facing the Challenge was designed with a parent/caregiver component that addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms:

• Treatment Foster Parents of a child or children with emotional and behavioral problems

Treatment Involves Family/Support Structures:

This program involves the family or other support systems in the individual's treatment: The treatment foster care agency and supervisors provide support to the treatment foster parents.

Together Facing the Challenge was designed to be conducted in a group setting, and has been tested for use in a group setting.

Recommended group size:

15 - 20

Testing References:

Farmer, E. M. Z., Burns, B. J., Wagner, H. R., Murray, M., & Southerland, D.G. (2010). Enhancing “usual practice” treatment foster care: Findings from a randomized trial on improving youth outcomes. Psychiatric Services, 6, 555-561.

Recommended Intensity:

Training for treatment foster parents occurs as a 6-week course (one 2-hour session per week).

Recommended Duration:

Training for treatment foster parents occurs over 6 weeks. Follow-up booster sessions for foster parents at 6 and 12 months post-training.

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Community Agency
• Departments of Social Service

Together Facing the Challenge includes a homework component:

Treatment foster parents are given homework assignments at each weekly training session. These are to be completed (with support by treatment foster care supervisors as needed) between sessions.

Together Facing the Challenge does not have materials available in a language other than English.

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

Equipment needed:

• lap top
• projector
• speakers
• flip chart
  

Although accommodations needed for training are minimal, for optimal learning to take place consideration should be made regarding comfortable chairs set up around small tables or u-shaped seating with tables to enable participants to engage in hands-on activities and role play scenarios.

Supervisors should have a Master’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 2 years of experience in the field. Treatment Foster Parent must be adults (aged 21 or over) who passed background checks. No minimum education level is required.

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

Training Contact:

• Maureen Murray, LCSW
  Services Effectiveness Research Program
  murra024@mc.duke.edu
  phone: (919) 687-4686 x302

Training is obtained:

The initial training typically is conducted at a location set up by the agency making the request for the training. Specific information pertaining to scheduling and materials needed are arranged on a site-by-site basis with a contractual agreement specifying the details of the plan.

Recommendations for training

• Group size for agency staff training is typically 15-30 participants.
• Staff training – 2-3 day intensive seminar

Number of days/hours:

The agency staff train-the-trainer workshop is conducted over 3 consecutive days. A typical schedule would be 9-4pm with an hour for lunch and two 15 minute breaks. Follow-up phone consultation begins after the initial training ends and typically occurs once a month for 6 months to one year.

Since Together Facing the Challenge is highly rated on the Scientific Rating Scale, information was requested from the program representative on available pre-implementation assessments, implementation tools, and/or fidelity measures.

This program is rated a "2 - Supported by Research Evidence" on the Scientific Rating Scale based on the published, peer-reviewed research available. The practice must have at least one rigorous randomized controlled trial with a sustained effect of at least 6 months. Please see the Scientific Rating Scale for more information.

Child Welfare Outcome: Child/Family Well-Being