Cost–Benefit of Treatment Foster Care Oregon (TFCO) Versus Residential Care in Illinois

• Published in: Research on social work practice Vol. 34; no. 8; pp. 888 - 901
• Main Authors: Chor, Ka Ho Brian, Oltmans, Cody
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.11.2024; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Child placement; Child welfare; Children; Cost analysis; Costs; Decision making; Foster care; Foster children; Pilot projects; Residential care; Residential institutions; Social work; Welfare state; Treatment Foster Care Oregon; cost–benefit analysis; child welfare; residential care
• ISSN: 1049-7315; 1552-7581
• DOI: 10.1177/10497315231206752

Purpose: This pilot study evaluated the cost–benefit of research-based Treatment Foster Care Oregon (TFCO) as an alternative treatment setting to residential care for children in the Illinois child welfare system. Methods: Using secondary analysis of child welfare administrative data, this study observed, for 2 years, 52 children enrolled in TFCO and 67 children who were eligible for TFCO but remained in or entered residential care. Results: Over the 2-year period, the average daily cost of care for children in TFCO was $249, compared to $320 for children in residential care, resulting in cost-savings of $51,058 per child and an overall net benefit of $94,294 per child. Conclusions: The promising cost–benefit evidence of TFCO as implemented in a state child welfare system has implications on social work services and placement decision-making, and system capacity in scaling up short-term therapeutic foster homes for children who might otherwise languish in residential care.