Functional Family Therapy services showing promising results in Pierce County, WA
Mar 10, 2009, Models for Change Washington
Research has shown that Functional Family Therapy (FFT) reduces felony crime. The Pierce County Juvenile Court, in partnership with the Pierce County Models for Change DMC Committee, has implemented specialized in-house FFT services for African American youth by providing the youth with an African American Functional Family Therapist. The specialized caseload approach is showing promising results.
The new approach was created in response to the DMC Committee's interest in increasing access to culturally-competent services that would positively increase engagement among African American youth. The DMC Committee worked with the Juvenile Court to implement the specialized caseload.
To date, the specialized services resulted in a marked increase of African-American youths’ FFT engagement rates from 45% to 83%. At this rate, Pierce County is on pace to refer 66 African American youth to this specialized caseload in the first year of implementation. This is a 65% increase from the previous strategy regarding African American juvenile justice involved youth.
Pierce County Models for Change DMC coordinator Josephine Quiles Negroni said the provider's approach toward the families is what increases their engagement. "Our provider, Mr. Ed Wea is able to transcend cultures,” said Quiles Negroni. “He works with families in a non-judgmental way by joining into the rhythm of the family with total acceptance and appreciation to them for allowing him to enter their home. This makes families comfortable and inspires them to engage in the therapy." Quiles Negroni added that Mr. Wea is recognized and accepted as a part of the African American community. Mr. Wea explained, “I model myself after successful and trusted people in our community who families recognize and see as trustworthy; as a person who is truly there to help facilitate better outcomes for families.” Mr. Wea is also respected as an Elder and is valued and respected for what he brings to the community: a desire to help families access resources and services that support a strong family foundation, allowing them to focus their attention and energy on a positive outcome on behalf of their youth.
In addition, the specialized provider works on a day to day basis with other juvenile probation officers. Mr. Wea has imparted what it means to “feel the rhythm of the family,” provided a new cultural lens, and has created a fresh perspective for working with youth and families. In short, he provides cultural competence training, support and ongoing feedback around the clock. Quiles Negroni said that because of this, the Court is finding that other FFT juvenile probation officers also are experiencing increased success with their caseloads.
While the engagement rate has gone up, it is a bit early to determine the actual completion rate, but expectations are that with the increased engagement, increased completion will follow suit. Since FFT takes approximately four months to complete, evaluation of the completion rate is pending and should be available in a few more months. The Court also evaluates post-probation felony crime rates but those evaluations and findings take one to two years to complete upon the youth's discharge from probation.
- Issues
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Racial-ethnic fairness/DMC
- States
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Washington