Using multi-informed fidelity data to determine the impact of a neutral child welfare facilitator for permanency decision teams.

Abstract

Few studies have included fidelity monitoring and critical approaches to the evaluation of family decision meetings. The current study uses a mixed-methods approach to examine the implementation and fidelity adherence of one state's family decision meeting model. Main findings indicate that while individuals facilitating the meetings perceive their fidelity to the model is strong, the observation data suggest that model adherence is inconsistent among those facilitating the meetings. Practice implications are discussed.