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Other Family-Centered Practice Approaches

Services to children and families in systems other than child welfare employ family-centered principles and practices. Some of these approaches are being incorporated into community-based child welfare interventions that employ multiple systems in addressing the needs of families while ensuring the safety and well-being of their children.

These approaches are often described using terms such as integrated services, systems of care, and wraparound, and may also include models such as drug courts, informal community-based service systems, and ecosystemic interventions.

Community Family Support Meetings: Connecting Families, Public Child Welfare, and Community Resources
Kemp, Allen-Eckard, Ackroyd, Becker, Burke, & Tracey (2005)
In Child Welfare for the Twenty-First Century: A Handbook of Practices, Policies, and Programs
View Abstract
This approach uses participatory family decision-making methods to connect families with informal community resources and community-based social service professionals at times of crisis and transition. Describes a pilot project developed in the context of an existing partnership between a State child welfare agency and several of its constituent communities.

Community Implementation Guide: A Framework for Community Action
Morgan & Martin (2004)
View Abstract
A model that can be used to advance local child welfare priorities through programs that support families, prevent situations that contribute to problems, facilitate collaboration, recognize diversity, apply research-based techniques, and measure outcomes.

A Comparison of Four Practice Models (PDF - 408 KB)
Arizona Department of Health Services (2002)
Table comparing the characteristics of family group decision-making, wraparound services, the child welfare and practice group model, and person-centered planning.

Updated on October 29, 2009