The CIBHS Cathie Wright Center is engaged in a number of efforts
to promote the adoption of evidence-based practices that hold
promise for improving outcomes for children and families.Our
dissemination activities are most often delivered through a
Development Team Model, that is a guided peer-to-peer training
and technical assistance strategy that supports the enduring
acquisition of knowledge, successful implementation of innovative
practice, and sustained system change.Development Teams are
composed of teams of individuals from multiple counties that
consistently participate in a series ofworkshops with a specific
area of focus.
California counties work with CIBHS and Treatment Foster Care
Inc. to implement Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC).
MTFC is designed for adolescents with conduct and behavioral
problems, including delinquency. It has very strong scientific
research support that finds that it is an effective alternative
to incarceration and group home placement. MTFC has been compared
to residential placement and outcomes include greater reductions
in recidivism, fewer elopements and improved treatment
completion, reductions in drug and alcohol use, and improved
school performance and emotional well being.