New Performance Improvement Center Aims to Strengthen State FFT-Foster Care Program
CHDI will serve as the Performance Improvement Center (PIC) for the State of Connecticut's Functional Family Therapy - Foster Care (FFT-FC) program through a new contract with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF).
FFT-FC is an evidence-based, clinical intervention model for DCF-involved children and their families. Using a relational lens and a strong focus on the family unit, FFT-FC aims to strengthen family relationships, address behavioral challenges, and support long-term stability for youth in care.
In our role as Performance Improvement Center, CHDI will partner with DCF, provider agencies, FFT model developers, families, and other partners to support the implementation and delivery of the FFT-FC model by providing continuous quality improvement support to foster care agencies offering FFT-FC across the state. There are currently nine FFT-FC providers responsible for recruiting, licensing, and supporting approximately 588 FFT-FC-level foster homes statewide.
Initial activities will include:
- Developing a statewide strategic plan for recruitment and retention of foster parents
- Improving the process of managing placement disruptions
- Administering "wrap-around" payments to cover services and supports for children in FFT-FC
Chris Marino, MS, LPC will lead this initiative as Director of the FFT-FC Performance Improvement Center. He brings a wealth of leadership experience to the role, having served most recently as the Service Development Director at Community Mental Health Affiliates (CMHA). Christina Stephens, DSW(c), LCSW is joining as Senior Project Coordinator on the project.
We look forward to sharing more as the work gets underway!
Quality improvement at CHDI
Quality improvement (QI) ensures that the children's behavioral health services and programs we invest in work. This continuous process is essential to the long-term sustainability, accountability, and impact of children’s behavioral health services and supports.
Using data analysis, reporting, standardized training, and consultation, CHDI helps to ensure that these services are delivered as intended and advance access, quality, and outcomes. Policymakers, providers, and educators trust our QI data and reports to inform decisions on what is working, where improvements are needed, and where to allocate resources.