The importance of family functioning to prevention of placement: A study of family preservation services

Family preservation services have been found effective in preventing the placement of children outside their homes. Most studies of family preservation services focus on the successful prevention of placement of children in out-of-home care, and relatively few studies have examined how such services affect family functioning. Recent research has begun to examine the relationship between family functioning and prevention of placement. This research has demonstrated improved family functioning for those families who received family preservation services.A version of this paper was first presented at the Sixth National Doctoral Dissertation Symposium, 1993, Ohio State University.