Abstract
This article describes the elements of Paths to Success (P2S)—a Title IV-E waiver demonstration project designed to increase family engagement and reduce out-of-home placement through a professional staffing and collaboration model. We present the characteristics of families participating (N = 155), including their service needs, and findings from program and administrative data about adherence to the engagement strategies. Implications for refining P2S in the context of child welfare finance reform, and Title IV-E waivers in particular, are discussed. As the number of states able to obtain IV-E Waiver funds expands, this article serves as a timely contribution to those designing new waiver demonstrations and associated evaluations.
Notes
We gratefully acknowledge the many efforts of Gumaro Garay, Hollis Williams, and Elizabeth McAllister who helped shape this evaluation and responded to numerous data requests. We would also like to express our appreciation to Michelle Love and Peter J. Pecora for their helpful review comments.
aInvestigated referrals occurring on the same date or within 5 days of one another, are considered part of the “same” referral and thus are counted only once.
aExamples of other needs include access referrals, Healthy Communities Inc., and Craig's list.