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Project Description

Systems Reform: The implementation will provide a flexible service system to prevent family breakup specifically tailored for particular children and their families. Counties will have flexibility to develop programs and services that will reduce foster care placements and length of stay in care. The State and County will negotiate a budget for flexible funding. If the County spends less of their flexible funds than budgeted, the difference reverts to their foster care budget. If additional foster care funds are needed, the State makes up the difference. The evaluation will include multiple comparison groups of counties -- participating and not-participating -- in demonstration. Sample size of 1,500 to 2,000 cases is expected for each of three study groups (2 experimental and one comparison) over the five years. Major goals are to improve outcomes for children and families and increase service efficiency by including the development of a family-focused, community-based network for service delivery which concentrates on the strengths and needs of the family; reduce length of stay in substitute care and prevent children’s placement into care; reduce foster care costs by investing in services; and maintain child safety and protection.

Project duration: Jul 1997 - Mar 2003

Sites studied include Oregon

Sample Characteristics and Sites Studied

Children in the child welfare system (sample size not reported).

Recent Findings in Brief

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