Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care Services Come to Kern County

In 1999, the Surgeon General’s Report stated, “Critical gaps exist between those who need services and those who receive service ...between optimally effective treatment and what many individuals receive in actual practice settings.” This fact was substantiated in the President’s New Freedom Mental Health Commission Report. At both the state and national levels, efforts have begun to focus on the need to increase access to scientifically sound behavioral health practices and to increase the science knowledge base in general. Research has demonstrated that there is consistent scientific evidence that some specific practices improve outcomes in individuals living with severe mental illness and addictions. These specific practices, grounded in research, are called Evidence–Based Practices (EBPs). EBPs are interventions for which there is consistent documentation that they improve consumer outcomes.

One such EBP to be implemented in the Children’s Mental Health System is the Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC) Intervention. MTFC is designed as an alternative to incarceration and group home care.

Youth are placed in a therapeutic foster home (one youth per home) and there is 24/7 support for youth, foster parent and natural parents. The youth receives weekly individual therapy with focus on developing effective social, problem solving, and emotional regulation skills. Parents attend weekly family therapy with focus on effective parenting and family management. Youth attend public school with daily monitoring of attendance and performance.

MTFC is based on effective research. It is highly responsive to the needs of the youth, biological parents, and the foster parents. The treatment is strength-based and individualized. MTFC outcomes show fewer arrests, fewer incarceration and group home placement days, greater completion of treatment and fewer AWOLS, improved school performance, less hard drug use, and improved emotional well-being. Kern County Mental Health Children’s System of Care Multi-Agency Integrated Services Team (MIST) along with its collaborative partners, Department of Human Services, Probation and Public Health plan to implement the program in March 2004. “All involved are very excited about participating in the MTFC pilot project. The new program will serve youth who have frequently had multiple placements and life changes. Our desire is that all youth live in family settings, develop healthy relationships, and plan successful futures,” said Deanna Cloud, Kern County Mental Health Children’s Administrator.

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