A new longitudinal study published in the June issue of Families in Society found that a Georgia program that works with sibling groups was more effective in reunifying children with families than other programs.
Neighbor To Family (NTF) utilizes a professional foster caregiver model that provides significant training and support for caregivers and uses a team-based approach to involve family, caregivers, and other supportive figures in the foster care process. Authors Jim Rast and Jessica E. Rast compared three-year outcomes in four Georgia counties for children who obtained services from NTF with a similar group of children who were provided traditional foster care services.
Fifty-four percent of the children who used NTF services were reunified with their parents, compared with 18 percent of the control group. Because children using NTF services were less likely to spend time in congregate care like group homes, residential centers, and psychiatric hospitals, the average cost savings per child receiving NTF services was $27,303.
To read the study, please click here.