- It is best for children to be raised by their own family whenever possible.
- Safety is our highest priority.
- Reducing barriers to service improves family outcomes.
- Family members are our colleagues and partners.
- Providing information and teaching skills empowers families to become self-sufficient.
- We cannot predict which situations are most amenable to change.
- It is our job to motivate families and instill hope.
- All people have the ability to change.
- A crisis is an opportunity for change.
- We respect families for their diverse culture, ethnicity, and religious beliefs.
- Family members do not usually intend to harm one another.
- People are doing the best they can.
- Inappropriate intervention can do harm.
Implementing HOMEBUILDERS (Birth to Age 5)®
Model implementation summary last updated: 2011
The information in this profile reflects feedback, if provided, from this model’s developer as of the above date. The description of the implementation of the model(s) here may differ from how the model(s) was implemented in the research reviewed to determine this model’s evidence of effectiveness. Inclusion in the implementation report does not mean the practices described meet the HHS criteria for evidence of effectiveness. Similarly, models described here may not all have impact studies, and those with impact studies may vary in their effectiveness. Please see the Effectiveness button on the left for more information about research on the effectiveness of the models discussed here.
Model overview
Theoretical approach
Implementation support
Intended population
- At least one child is at imminent risk of out-of-home placement or is in placement and cannot be reunified without intensive in-home services.
- The child could remain in the home and not be at risk of imminent harm if intensive in-home services were provided.
- At least one parent is willing to meet with the HOMEBUILDERS therapist.
- The family is available to participate in an intensive, four- to six-week intervention.
- Less intensive services would not sufficiently reduce the risk of placement or facilitate reunification, are unavailable, or have been exhausted.
- If a child is referred for reunification, the child will be returned to the family within seven days of the start of services.
For the purposes of the HomVEE review, this profile is based on developer recommendations and studies of programs that target children from birth to age 5.
Targeted outcomes
Model services
- Intervention at the crisis point: Client families are seen within 24 hours of referral.
- Treatment in the natural setting: Almost all services take place in the family’s home and community.
- Accessibility and responsiveness: Therapists are on call to their families 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Research-based interventions: Therapists use research-based interventions, including crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, parent education, skill building, and cognitive/behavioral therapy.
- Flexibility: Services are provided when and where the clients wish. Therapists provide a wide range of services, from helping clients meet the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter to providing therapeutic techniques. Therapists teach families basic skills such as using public transportation systems, budgeting, and where necessary dealing with the social services system. They also educate families in areas more commonly associated with counseling, such as child development, parenting skills, anger management, other mood management skills, communication, and assertiveness.
Model intensity and length
Location
Implementation notes
The information contained on this page was last updated in April 2011. Recommended Further Reading lists the sources for this information. In addition, the information contained in this profile was reviewed for accuracy by the Institute for Family Development on April 5, 2011. HomVEE reserves the right to edit the profile for clarity and consistency.