Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Farmer's research in foster care has improved how treatment foster care provides for child-welfare-involved youth with behavioral challenges. Conceived as an alternative to more restrictive levels of residential care, "Together Facing the Challenge" (TFC) includes training foster parents and providing in-home interventions and community-based support to foster parents. You can read more about the model at the California-based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare.
A randomized clinical trial (2010) evaluated the effect of increased training and consultation for TFC supervisors and treatment parents (also referred to as treatment foster parents) to change practice and improve youth-level outcomes. On the three focal outcomes—symptoms, problem behaviors, and strengths—the enhanced model (TFC) showed significant improvements over usual care TFC, particularly at six months, when most youths were still in TFC. The TFC website has curriculum, newsletter, and research support found here.
