Family-Centered, Home-Based Services in Child Protection: A Review of the Research

The permanency planning movement, with its renewed emphasis on placement prevention and family reunification, has created increased interest in family-centered, home-based services as a child protection modality. Although its advocates claim that the effectiveness of these services is well established, an examination of the available research leads to a far less conclusive result. This article outlines the development of family-centered, home-based services and discusses their application to child protection. Using findings from established programs and demonstration projects, the research on family-centered, home-based child protection services is critically reviewed, and suggestions for further study are proposed.