Describes the principal features of a multisystems approach to family preservation that involves placement prevention and permanency planning. The approach is being taught to family preservation workers in Illinois. Discussion concerns the approach's theoretical premises, tasks, significant assessment areas, and ways of understanding the approach.…

This manual was designed for use in training students and child welfare practitioners in case management methods that would help to reduce the number of children in long-term foster placement by intervening to help the child's own family cope with their problems. The first two sections describe the process of assessment, the formulation of…