Implementing a Prevention-Based Program with Foster Families: Outcomes from the Connecting Study

Background:  While most adolescents are susceptible to engaging in risky behaviors, teenagers in foster care are even more vulnerable. Caregivers need tools to meet the challenges of providing environments that buffer teens’ risks, yet few preventive, cost-effective, evidence-based programs exist to support these families. We present pilot outcome data from a randomized wait-list control study of the Connecting program, a self-administered, family-based, prevention-focused intervention, to evaluate the impact on foster families. Connecting was adapted for use within the child welfare system from the Staying Connected with Your Teen (SCT)program, which has been demonstrated to prevent substance use, risky sexual behavior, and violence during adolescence.

Method

Data & Sample: A small randomized waitlist-control trial of the adapted curriculum was conducted with 60 caregiver/youth dyads within the child welfare system.  The intervention and control groups were similar demographically.  Families in the intervention condition received the Connecting materials and were contacted weekly by a family consultant for about 10-12 weeks.  Wait-list families received the materials after they completed the second assessment.  Baseline, posttest, and three month follow-up assessments were conducted to determine whether Connectinghas short-term effects on improving proximal family outcomes. Feasibility and usability data were collected. 

Analysis:  Feasibility and usability frequencies were analyzed.  Intent-to-treat analyses were conducted for proximal family scales using t-tests to determine post-test differences between the wait list control and intervention conditions.  Analyses will include 3 month follow-up as well using ANCOVA analyses controlling for baseline.

Results: Fifty two (87%) caregiver/youth dyads completed the posttest survey. Nearly 80% of the intervention group reported completing the program at post-test with 75 % reporting they had read most of the Connecting workbook and watched the video. Ninety six percent were satisfied with the family consultant they spoke with for the weekly calls; all would recommend the Connecting program to other caregivers.  Preliminary post-test analysis revealed that foster youth in the program condition (n=25) were significantly more likely than wait list controls (n=27) to be bonded to their caregivers, reporting higher levels of communication with caregivers (m= 31.2 vs 27.2 p=<.05) and greater levels of trust of caregivers (m=41.9 vs. 37.9 p=.08).  Program youth reported less family conflict on the Moos family conflict scale (m=1.0 vs. 1.5, p=.06, ES=.42). Parents in the program condition reported they were significantly more likely to have rules about sexual activity (96.2% vs. 75% p=.03 ).  Pilot data support that the Connecting program is having impacts on the hypothesized proximal family outcomes.