Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care®
An evidence-based solution for youth with behavioral problems, their families, and their communities
An evidence-based solution for youth with behavioral problems, their families, and their communities
History of MTFC
The MTFC program model is rooted in studies conducted in the 1960s and 1970s by Gerald Patterson and John Reid at the Oregon Social Learning Center (OSLC). Social learning theory and its principles form the basis for the MTFC model. Numerous research studies have been funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) at OSLC and elsewhere to identify key predictors of child and adolescent conduct problems, antisocial behavior, and mental health problems. More than 20 years of research in these areas led to the development of the MTFC model.
The MTFC model was established by Patricia Chamberlain and colleagues in 1983; it focused on treating serious and chronic juvenile offenders. This program continues to operate today and is funded by the Oregon Youth Authority and the Lane County Department of Youth Services. In 1992, Dr. Chamberlain adapted the model for youngsters (ages 9-18) with severe mental health problems who were being discharged from the Oregon State Hospital. This program is currently funded collaboratively by the local Department of Health and Human Services (Child Welfare) and LaneCare, the county's managed care Medicaid program. Beginning in 1999, Dr. Chamberlain and colleagues have conducted a series of studies that examine the unique needs of girls involved in the juvenile justice, child welfare and foster care systems and to evaluate how the MTFC model could be tailored to fit these needs.
In 1996, Phil Fisher and colleagues developed the MTFC-P model to focus specifically on the needs of preschool-aged children. This program addresses reducing children's behavior problems and enhancing the stability of placements while in care. It also focuses on increasing foster children's attachment to caregivers, and on improving permanency outcomes. Finally, MTFC-P promotes school readiness through a therapeutic playgroup.
Over the years, the original program model has been expanded to fit the needs of youngsters in all of the major publicly-funded child service systems (juvenile justice, mental health, and child welfare). MTFC programs are now funded by multiple public agencies and organizations around the United States and in Europe. .
In 1998, all MTFC service activities were transferred from the research center (OSLC) to OSLC Community Programs, a community mental health clinic that is dedicated to the delivery of evidence-based outpatient and MTFC services. Since MTFC's inception, consistent support for all of its programs by federal research funding and by county and state contracts has provided a solid framework to build upon.
Currently, TFC Consultants, Inc. provides implementation services, consultation, and technical assistance for sites interested in implementing MTFC programs.
Awards and Honors
1998 Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention/Center for Substance Abuse Prevention/University of Colorado Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence: "Blueprint" Program. One of 10 programs selected for replication on the basis of demonstrated effectiveness.
1998 The Wall Street Journal: "In Oregon, a Novel Way to Rescue Violent Kids." A full-length feature article in the October 23rd edition.
1999 Department of Health and Human Services: "Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General." Selected as a model program for children's mental health care.
2000 Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention/Center for Substance Abuse Prevention/University of Utah Department of Health Promotion and Education. Selected as 1 of 7 Exemplary I programs (highest rating category) in the Strengthening America's Families series, based on scientific evidence of effectiveness.
2000 Science, Vol. 289, July 28th: "Violence: The Shots Heard Around the World." Described as an effective and economically attractive treatment approach for delinquent adolescents.
2001 American Youth Policy Forum: "Less Hype, More Help: Reducing Juvenile Crime, What Works - And What Doesn't." Featured as an effective family-oriented approach to treating juvenile offenders.
2001 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: "Youth Violence: A Report of the Surgeon General." Selected as a model program for violence prevention.
2001 U.S. Department of Education: An Exemplary Program For Safe, Disciplined, and Drug-free Schools (1 of 9).
2002 The American Youth Policy forum featured MTFC as a guiding light for reform in juvenile justice (Less Cost, More Safety).
2003 The Washington Post: "Individual Treatment Gains Favor Approach Effective, Cheaper, Adherents Say." An article in the July 18th edition.
2003 The Chicago Sun-Times: "Care of Troubled Kids at Crossroads." An article in the July 21st edition.
2004 Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control: "Therapeutic Foster Care for the Prevention of Violence." MMWR Vol. 53 #RR-10
The MTFC program model is rooted in studies conducted in the 1960s and 1970s by Gerald Patterson and John Reid at the Oregon Social Learning Center (OSLC). Social learning theory and its principles form the basis for the MTFC model. Numerous research studies have been funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) at OSLC and elsewhere to identify key predictors of child and adolescent conduct problems, antisocial behavior, and mental health problems. More than 20 years of research in these areas led to the development of the MTFC model.
The MTFC model was established by Patricia Chamberlain and colleagues in 1983; it focused on treating serious and chronic juvenile offenders. This program continues to operate today and is funded by the Oregon Youth Authority and the Lane County Department of Youth Services. In 1992, Dr. Chamberlain adapted the model for youngsters (ages 9-18) with severe mental health problems who were being discharged from the Oregon State Hospital. This program is currently funded collaboratively by the local Department of Health and Human Services (Child Welfare) and LaneCare, the county's managed care Medicaid program. Beginning in 1999, Dr. Chamberlain and colleagues have conducted a series of studies that examine the unique needs of girls involved in the juvenile justice, child welfare and foster care systems and to evaluate how the MTFC model could be tailored to fit these needs.
In 1996, Phil Fisher and colleagues developed the MTFC-P model to focus specifically on the needs of preschool-aged children. This program addresses reducing children's behavior problems and enhancing the stability of placements while in care. It also focuses on increasing foster children's attachment to caregivers, and on improving permanency outcomes. Finally, MTFC-P promotes school readiness through a therapeutic playgroup.
Over the years, the original program model has been expanded to fit the needs of youngsters in all of the major publicly-funded child service systems (juvenile justice, mental health, and child welfare). MTFC programs are now funded by multiple public agencies and organizations around the United States and in Europe. .
In 1998, all MTFC service activities were transferred from the research center (OSLC) to OSLC Community Programs, a community mental health clinic that is dedicated to the delivery of evidence-based outpatient and MTFC services. Since MTFC's inception, consistent support for all of its programs by federal research funding and by county and state contracts has provided a solid framework to build upon.
Currently, TFC Consultants, Inc. provides implementation services, consultation, and technical assistance for sites interested in implementing MTFC programs.
Awards and Honors
1998 Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention/Center for Substance Abuse Prevention/University of Colorado Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence: "Blueprint" Program. One of 10 programs selected for replication on the basis of demonstrated effectiveness.
1998 The Wall Street Journal: "In Oregon, a Novel Way to Rescue Violent Kids." A full-length feature article in the October 23rd edition.
1999 Department of Health and Human Services: "Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General." Selected as a model program for children's mental health care.
2000 Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention/Center for Substance Abuse Prevention/University of Utah Department of Health Promotion and Education. Selected as 1 of 7 Exemplary I programs (highest rating category) in the Strengthening America's Families series, based on scientific evidence of effectiveness.
2000 Science, Vol. 289, July 28th: "Violence: The Shots Heard Around the World." Described as an effective and economically attractive treatment approach for delinquent adolescents.
2001 American Youth Policy Forum: "Less Hype, More Help: Reducing Juvenile Crime, What Works - And What Doesn't." Featured as an effective family-oriented approach to treating juvenile offenders.
2001 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: "Youth Violence: A Report of the Surgeon General." Selected as a model program for violence prevention.
2001 U.S. Department of Education: An Exemplary Program For Safe, Disciplined, and Drug-free Schools (1 of 9).
2002 The American Youth Policy forum featured MTFC as a guiding light for reform in juvenile justice (Less Cost, More Safety).
2003 The Washington Post: "Individual Treatment Gains Favor Approach Effective, Cheaper, Adherents Say." An article in the July 18th edition.
2003 The Chicago Sun-Times: "Care of Troubled Kids at Crossroads." An article in the July 21st edition.
2004 Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control: "Therapeutic Foster Care for the Prevention of Violence." MMWR Vol. 53 #RR-10
