Part I: A Review of the Literature on Multisystemic Treatment Within an Evidence-based Framework: Implications for Working With Culturally Diverse Families and Children

One key step in the evidence-based practice process directs practitioners to pose client-oriented, practical, evidence-search questions (COPES), seeking the truth about what will help their client (Gibbs, 2003 Gibbs , L. ( 2003 ). Evidence-based practice for the helping professions ; Pacific Grove , CA : Brooks/Cole-Thomson Learning . Google Scholar]) and inform policy (Gambrill, 2006) and not to take a “one method fits all” position. Literature focusing on providing services to minority children and families in the child welfare system strongly supports this approach (Cohen, 2000 Cohen , N. ( 2000 ). Child welfare: A multicultural focus ; Needham Heights , MA : Allyn &; Bacon . Google Scholar]; Lum, 2004 Lum , D. ( 2004 ). Social work practice and people of color: A process-stage approach ; Boston : Brooks/Cole . Google Scholar]; Samantrai, 2004 Samantrai , K. ( 2004 ) . Culturally competent public child welfare practice . Belmont , CA : Brooks/Cole-Thompson Learning . Google Scholar]). This article poses an effectiveness question, locates and evaluates existing evidence, and then presents implications for working with families and children from diverse backgrounds. The effectiveness question posed is, “If families and children from diverse populations experiencing mental health problems receive Multisystemic Therapy, will they have similar outcomes across race and ethnicity?”