Developing treatment fidelity measures in a wraparound program for severely emotionally disturbed children using the child and adolescent needs and strengths tool

Abstract

This study utilized the strength-based components of the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment as a basis for creating the Treatment Fidelity Indicator (TFI). With a particular focus on strengths, this study initiated the development of a measure to assist agencies in recognizing whether each of the 19 strength-based dimensions were found in the case record. Seven cases were evaluated using two raters. Reliability was examined using the Cohen's kappa and memoing of the process. The growing expectations placed on agencies to provide proven treatment strategies and the limitations of resources available are challenges for quality conscious organizations. Increasing emphasis to integrate individual and family strengths into the assessment process to improve treatment outcomes has been encouraged ... TFI is being developed to build upon the successes of CANS and extend its functionality to include measuring the fidelity of treatment delivery.