Research
PATH has long been committed to using research to influence its work, and to contributing to the child welfare field through research. As part of our commitment we have been involved in large national studies of children in care, such as the Odyssey Project, as well as more limited studies, such as the recent Minot State University report.
Evidence Based Practice
One of the key responsibilities of PATH Alliance is to promote and support research within the affiliate agencies. This includes both disseminating information about best practice, as well as encouraging evidence-based practice in our day-to-day work.
We believe our emphasis on family centered practice is supported by the evidence from both child welfare and children's mental health research. We attempt to use the research available to influence our efforts towards achieving best practices in each of our services.
Research Proposals
PATH invites proposals for research concerning PATH programs and services. While we cannot provide financial support for outside researchers, we may be able to assist in conducting research or in identifying possible participants.
Individuals interested in research related to treatment foster care, adoption, or family-based services are invited to contact Mike Peterson at PATH Alliance. His phone number is 612-259-1601.
PATH does adhere to research guidelines established by the Council on Accreditation for Services to Children and Families. This includes adherence to Federal and state data privacy laws.
Current Research
Evolv - During 2009, PATH Alliance is focusing its efforts on assisting affiliates in utilizing our internal information system (Evolv) in generating reports to support evidence-based practice. We are not planning any other system-wide research activities.
REACH - In September 2008, PATH completed a five-year study of adoption outreach techniques in rural communities and Native American communities. The final report for this project is expected to be completed by summer 2009. Results of this Children's Bureau funded project will be available at the PATH Alliance office.
Outcomes and Diagnosis - PATH North Dakota is currently involved in a collaborative project with the Behavioral Sciences Department at North Dakota State University to evaluate treatment foster care outcomes related to different diagnoses at intake.
Recent Research
The following is a listing of some of the papers or articles that have been published, based partially on research involving PATH employees or foster parents.
Courtney, M. E. & Zinn, A. (2001). Use of the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist in a longitudinal study of treatment foster care outcomes. In Nicole S. Le Prohn, Kathleen Wetherbee, Elena Lamont, Thomas Achenbach, & Peter Pecora (eds.), Assessing youth behavior: Using the Child Behavior Checklist in family and children's research. Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America.
Mark Courtney conducted an outcome study at PATH using the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist. His work at PATH was a source of information for this article.
Drais, A.A. and Gunn, L. Steve (2004). The Odyssey Project: A Descriptive and Prospective Study of Children in Residential Treatment and Treatment Foster Care. Washington, D.C. Child Welfare League of America.
PATH was one of the participating members in the Odyssey Project. The project was a comparative study of outcomes in treatment foster care, group homes, and residential treatment.
Mason, M, Santiano, LM, Kessler, C and Holmstrand, L (2003). A Comparison of Foster Care Outcomes Across Four Child Welfare Agencies. Journal of Family Social Work.
As part of a research consortium, PATH was one of the four agencies in which foster care outcomes were measured.
Michels, Vicki, and Olson, Deborah (2007). North Dakota Foster Care Child Placement: Assessing Appropriate Level of Care. Minot State University, Department of Addiction Studies, Psychology, and Social Work Prepared for the North Dakota Division of Child and Family Services.
The study was designed to determine whether children were in appropriate placements and looked at children in residential treatment, group homes, foster care, and treatment foster care. PATH treatment foster parents and social workers participated in the study.
Nesmith, Ande. (2006). "Predictors of Running Away from Family Foster Care". Child Welfare, v85.
Ande helped coordinate an outcomes study at PATH. His work at PATH as well at other agencies was part of his doctoral thesis, which is the source for this article.
Wells, Susan and Jones, Annette Samanchin (2008). "Preventing Placement Disruptions in Foster Care". PATH-Bremer Project. Minneapolis, Minnesota; University of Minnesota School of Social Work.
This is a review of the literature related to preventing disruptions in foster care placements. The project was coordinated by PATH Wisconsin and supported through a grant from Bremer Foundation.
Early Articles on PATH
Galloway, Burt (1976). "Contracting: A Means of Clarifying Roles in Foster Family Services". Children Today. Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America.
Burt Galloway was one of the founders of PATH and one of the early leaders in developing treatment foster care programs. His work in promoting contracting became one of the key components of the PATH model.
Hoppe, Jan (1998). There Must be a Better Way: The PATH Story. St. Paul, Minnesota. Professional Association of Treatment Homes.
This is a short history of PATH's first 25 years. Jan Hoppe was Education Coordinator for PATH, and had previously been a PATH foster parent and Board member.
Peterson, Michael (1989). "Specialist Foster Family Care: A Normalizing Experience". In Joe Hudson and Burt Galloway (editors) Journal of Child and Youth Services.
This issue of the Journal of Child and Youth Services was dedicated to treatment foster care. Mike was executive director of PATH at the time the article was written.
Erbaugh, Susan (1987). Reflections on Therapeutic Foster Care: Collected from PATH Prints. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Professional Association of Treatment Homes.
Susan Erbaugh was a consulting psychologist with PATH. As part of her work, she wrote a monthly article for the PATH newsletter. This book is a collection of some of the most popular articles.
