A model of implementation for the family check-up in community mental health settings
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7179/PSRI_2025.46.03Keywords:
Child psychology, mental health, mental health workers, child behaviorAbstract
Introduction: The Family Check-Up (FCU) is an evidence-based treatment program that has been developed in over 25 years of rigorous clinical research. The FCU is associated with long-term outcomes including improved mental and behavioral health that lead to lifelong adjustment and has been implemented in various countries, including the United States of America, Sweden, Canada, and the Netherlands.
Method: In this paper, we review the theoretical model that guided our research, the clinical model for service delivery, and the implementation model that guides our dissemination of the FCU in diverse community service settings in the United States. The FCU is grounded in a developmental, ecological model in which contextual stressors predict parenting skills and family relationships, which are key mediators and targets of the intervention. The FCU in-person program includes a 3-session, strength-based assessment that culminates in a feedback session which then leads to tailored parenting support for families. Our community implementation model occurs in 4 phases that include exploration of community need, consultation, training, and ongoing support for sustainment. A combination of e-learning, virtual trainings, provider consultation and certification, and supervisor training is included in the implementation model.
Results: Results across studies demonstrated improvements in parent self-efficacy, stress, emotion regulation, anxiety, depression, and parenting behaviors (positive and proactive parenting, limit-setting), and reductions in negative parenting, family conflict, and child emotional problems.
Conclusion: Our goal is to expand the reach of mental health prevention around the world by increasing dissemination of the FCU in community settings through a collaborative, community-engaged process, and integrating our new digital health program into a range of mental health service settings.
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