ANALYSIS OF THE OUTCOME RESULTS OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES PARTICIPATING IN A CRISIS, HOME-BASED OUTPATIENT COUNSELING PROGRAM.
Contributors: Union Institute (U.S.)
Published: 1995
Number of pages: 63
Subjects: Education, Guidance and Counseling.; Sociology, Individual and Family Studies.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: This study is an analysis of the outcome results of the number of children and their families who participated in the Children's Mental Health Plan crisis home-based outpatient counseling program, serving cities in the Harris County area of Texas. These services consisted of intensive interventions delivered to children and their families in their homes, which included such services such as counseling parenting skills training, and case management. The target population consisted of 387 severely emotionally disturbed children who resided in the Harris County area of the state of Texas. The group consisted of 267 males and 120 females ranging in age from 0 to 17 years of age.

Evaluation methodology addressed the characteristics of the population served, the nature of the services received, the effects of the programs on out-of-home placements, the program's effects on child and family functioning, and participant satisfaction with the program.

The results indicated that the home based family preservation services were implemented as planned and had a positive impact on the children and families served. The services delivered were relatively short-term and intensive and usually involved some interagency contact. The majority of children and families avoided out-of-home placement, showed improvements in child and family functioning at termination and follow-up, and were satisfied with services.

Future consumers of the home-based services, however, may benefit from several modifications, which should include a vigorous advertising campaign to inform other professional and the general public as to the existence and goals of the program. The advertising campaign should also include information on how to access the services as well as how to integrate them with existing community services and resources. Additional services provided should include in-session cognitive restructuring to adjust parents' expectations as to treatment goals that accompany the use of home-based services as an early intervention model.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-01, Section: A, page: 0113.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNION INSTITUTE, 1995.

School code: 1033.