TY - JOUR
T1 - A Pilot Study of the Adoption and Guardianship Enhanced Support (AGES) Program
T2 - Preventing Discontinuity by Walking Alongside Adoptive and Guardianship Families Who are Struggling
AU - Ocasio, Kerrie
AU - Rolock, Nancy
AU - Blakey, Joan
AU - Diamant-Wilson, Roni
AU - Bass, Frances
AU - Brom, Jonelle
AU - Budzinski, Allison
AU - Hermes, Ronald
AU - Karnopp, Danielle
AU - Sepnieski, Katie
AU - Zhang, Lixia
AU - Fong, Rowena
AU - Faulkner, Monica
AU - Marra, Laura
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Taylor & Francis.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Purpose: There is a strong preference for evidence-based child welfare services, however, there are few well-researched programs for families that struggle post-permanence. Following adoption or guardianship, some families experience significant challenges, struggle to find effective programs, and run the risk of family instability. This study described the process used to develop the Adoption and Guardianship Enhanced Support (AGES) intervention and explored: 1) the needs of families participating in the program and 2) how AGES worked with families to address those challenges. Methods: This descriptive study utilized quantitative structured assessment data and qualitative data from case records to explore the needs of families and provide context for qualitative, in-depth interviews with families regarding their experiences with the AGES program, presented using thematic analysis. Results: Pre-service structured assessments indicated multiple dimensions of parenting strain, with case record reviews and interviews with families providing a nuanced picture of multiple sources of strain, suggesting the project was reaching the intended audience. Record review and interviews demonstrated strong alignment between needs of families and the support provided by AGES workers. Intended analysis of quantitative post-assessment data was not possible, due to lower enrollment and higher staff turnover than expected, as well as study timeframes. Discussion and Conclusion: The approach utilized by AGES workers, one that walked alongside families and provided flexible responses to identified needs, showed promise for adoptive and guardianship families. Replication and additional research are needed to assess the program with a larger sample and more rigorous methods.
AB - Purpose: There is a strong preference for evidence-based child welfare services, however, there are few well-researched programs for families that struggle post-permanence. Following adoption or guardianship, some families experience significant challenges, struggle to find effective programs, and run the risk of family instability. This study described the process used to develop the Adoption and Guardianship Enhanced Support (AGES) intervention and explored: 1) the needs of families participating in the program and 2) how AGES worked with families to address those challenges. Methods: This descriptive study utilized quantitative structured assessment data and qualitative data from case records to explore the needs of families and provide context for qualitative, in-depth interviews with families regarding their experiences with the AGES program, presented using thematic analysis. Results: Pre-service structured assessments indicated multiple dimensions of parenting strain, with case record reviews and interviews with families providing a nuanced picture of multiple sources of strain, suggesting the project was reaching the intended audience. Record review and interviews demonstrated strong alignment between needs of families and the support provided by AGES workers. Intended analysis of quantitative post-assessment data was not possible, due to lower enrollment and higher staff turnover than expected, as well as study timeframes. Discussion and Conclusion: The approach utilized by AGES workers, one that walked alongside families and provided flexible responses to identified needs, showed promise for adoptive and guardianship families. Replication and additional research are needed to assess the program with a larger sample and more rigorous methods.
KW - Intervention research
KW - Permanency
KW - Pilot study
KW - Post adoption and guardianship stability
KW - Post-permanency services
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U2 - 10.1080/26408066.2023.2259905
DO - 10.1080/26408066.2023.2259905
M3 - Article
C2 - 37728062
AN - SCOPUS:85171657274
SN - 2640-8066
VL - 21
SP - 50
EP - 74
JO - Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work (United States)
JF - Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work (United States)
IS - 1
ER -