ABSTRACT
Residential leaders who are focused on long-term positive outcomes post-discharge for youth and families have found that they must work in partnership with families. Support from family is critical to shortening lengths of stay, increasing community connections, improving behavioral health outcomes and sustaining success in the community post-discharge. Every aspect of the National Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) underscores the importance of family engagement. In addition, the Family First Prevention Services Act, new federal child welfare legislation that became law in 2018, requires Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs) to put a strong focus on engaging families. After a brief review of key concepts related to family engagement and family-driven care, this chapter emphasizes the critical importance of hiring peer family partners, and then delves into specific examples of how residential providers have shifted their policies and practices to work in partnership with families. Three family partners are co-authors of this chapter.
