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Purpose: The Multiple Family Group (MFG) service delivery model to reduce childhood disruptive behavior disorders has shown promise in engaging child welfare-involved families. This qualitative study examines caregivers' perceptions of factors that influence retention in MFGs among child welfare-involved families. Methods: Twenty-five predominantly Black and Hispanic adult (aged 26-57) female caregivers with child welfare services involvement participated in individual, in-depth interviews. Transcribed interview data were thematically coded, guided by grounded theory methodology. Emergent themes were subsequently organized into a conceptual framework. Results: Factors promoting retention included the quality of interaction among group members, group facilitators' attentive approach with caregivers, supports designed to overcome logistical barriers, and perceptions of MFG activities as fun and helpful. Caregivers' mental health and personal characteristics as well as children's behavior also impacted retention. Conclusions: Findings suggest MFGs are acceptable for child welfare-involved caregivers. Modifications are suggested to tailor to setting and client characteristics.

Background: Youth living in poverty face compounding familial and environmental was challenges in utilizing effective community mental health services. Ongoing stressors increase their drop-out rate in mental health service use. Difficulties also exist in staying engaged in services when involved with the child welfare system. This study examines the 4Rs 2Ss Family Strengthening Program developed across four broad conceptual categories related to parenting skills and family processes that form a multiple family group service delivery approach. Methods: Families randomly assigned to the experimental condition received a 16-week intervention. Data was collected at baseline, midtest, posttest, and follow-up. Results: There was a higher engagement rate in the experimental condition and improved effects for child behaviors. Family stress and parental depression were also related to engagement. No moderation effects on family stress, child welfare involvement, or parental needs were found. This intervention appeared to be able to engage families with more complex "real-world" needs.

This study examines whether risk factors associated with child externalizing behavior symptoms differ between two similar low-income, urban communities, using baseline parent data of 154 African American youth (ages 9-15) participating in the Collaborative HIV-Prevention and Adolescent Mental Health Project (CHAMP) family program. Separate multiple regression analyses of each city sample indicated that greater child externalizing symptoms were associated with increasing parenting hassles for New York families (n = 46), but greater parent mental health symptoms for participants in Chicago (n = 108). Understanding such distinctions between communities is an important first step toward tailoring services to unique community needs. (Contains 1 figure and 5 tables.)