Are Restrictiveness of Care Decisions Based on Youth Level of Need? A Multilevel Model Analysis of Placement Levels Using the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessment

Abstract

Youth entering into the foster care system face many challenges, not the least of which is finding an appropriate placement in which their behavioral and emotional needs can be addressed. This secondary data analysis of foster youth placed in residential care and treatment foster care will study the connection between youths’ scores on a functional assessment and level of placement in the child welfare system using a multilevel model analysis. Data were obtained from an online case management system operated by a state child serving system. The dataset included information for 9,893 youth within 295 residential and foster care provider agencies, with 23,853 functional assessments at multiple time points. Initial findings show a linear relationship between scores on a functional assessment and a placement’s level of restrictiveness; all of the level 2 program variables were significantly associated with the total CANS score for a youth at intake. These findings support prior literature and least restrictive placement policies.

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