AN EXPERIMENT IN FAMILY REUNIFICATION - CORRELATES OF OUTCOMES AT ONE-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

The purpose of this article is to describe findings from an evaluation of a program developed to reunify foster children with their biologic al parents. In a study with random assignment of foster children to a ''routine services'' control group or an experimental family reunifica tion service, the experimental condition was found to be effective in returning children to their homes. This report focuses on the rate at which children in experimental and control groups returned home during the service period and afterwards. In addition, the correlates of reu nification during the treatment period and return to foster care durin g the follow-up period are examined. The data suggest that relatively brief and intensive family-centered services can significantly affect reunification rates. The experimental service was superior to routine reunification at the close of treatment and throughout the one-year fo llow-up period. Consisting of building strong and motivating alliances with family members, the provision of skills training, and assistance with meeting family members' concrete needs, family reunification ser vices appear to offer new promise to children who are placed in family foster care.