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Leading New Frontiers in Foster Care Research

Research is the backbone of effective mental health care. A Home Within engages with research partners to measure the impact of our programs, and to advance the field of mental health care – all with the purpose of better serving foster youth for years to come.

A Home Within’s Impact Evaluation

In partnership with USF’s Foster Care Research Group

Research partner, Dr. Saralyn Ruff and National Program Director, Grace Manger discuss the latest research at A Home Within:

For over two decades, the Foster Care Research Group (FCRG) has been dedicated to studying the impact of long-term, no-cost mental health support through A Home Within. This work began in 2002 with therapist interviews, uncovering the profound benefits of consistent care for children, teens, and adults.

Building on this foundation, FCRG expanded its research in 2019 to gather direct, long-term feedback from clients—an effort that continues today. In March of 2024, we launched an exciting new study comparing A Home Within’s individual therapy model with peer support groups, helping us refine best practices and deepen our impact.

All of our research is conducted with the larger goal of reducing barriers so more foster youth can receive mental health services.

We welcome collaboration and conversation! Reach out to learn more, share your insights, or explore ways to work together.

Saralyn Ruff
University of San Francisco

Interested in Learning More or Contributing to Research?

Fill out the form to get in touch:


Community Advisory Board (CAB)

Our Community Advisory Board’s role is to represent stakeholders and oversee A Home Within’s research program. They are representatives of the specific population who are being studied, and their expertise is crucial for guiding the relevance and impacts of our ongoing work. Meet a few of our advisors:

Quanice Hawkins
Los Angeles, California

Quanice is an active member of the Community Advisory Board (CAB) while also serving as the Research Project Assistant Coordinator for A Home Within’s impactful research. She previously served as an advocate for foster youth aging out of care, a leader in California Youth Connection impacting California state policy for foster youth…

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Quanice Hawkins
Los Angeles, California

Quanice is an active member of the Community Advisory Board (CAB) while also serving as the Research Project Assistant Coordinator for A Home Within’s impactful research. She previously served as an advocate for foster youth aging out of care, a leader in California Youth Connection impacting California state policy for foster youth and served as a liaison between foster youth and key stakeholders in the child welfare community. She earned her bachelors degree in sociology and a masters degree in business administration. While still working in corporate settings, she has a passion for serving the foster care community as she has extensive lived experience and professional experience.
Diane Steinbrecher, LCSW
Portland, Oregon

Diane is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice, a co-founder of the A Home Within chapter in Oregon, A Home Within therapist and on the Community Advisory Board overseeing its research projects. Diane specializes in Archetypal Pattern Analysis, Hakomi Somatic Psychotherapy, Addictions, complex trauma recovery, attachment issues and…

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Diane Steinbrecher, LCSW
Portland, Oregon

Diane is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice, a co-founder of the A Home Within chapter in Oregon, A Home Within therapist and on the Community Advisory Board overseeing its research projects. Diane specializes in Archetypal Pattern Analysis, Hakomi Somatic Psychotherapy, Addictions, complex trauma recovery, attachment issues and supervises therapists.

Diane is on the advisory board of Peace in Schools, the first for credit U.S. mindful studies program for teens in Portland, Washington and California high schools. She is on the faculty of Assisi Institute for the International Studies of Archetypal Patterns and is a thesis advisor and supervisor for their students. Diane is the author of the book "The Treasure Within: An Archetypal Unfolding to Your Infinite Potential" and co-facilitates training groups in Archetypal Pattern Analysis. Diane is a coach and group facilitator in Peter Fenner, PhD’s Radiant Mind program for nondual awareness.
Mitchell Findley
Napa, California

Mitchell is a project manager at Social Change Partners, a consulting firm that supports child welfare and behavioral health systems across California. With a background in foster care and youth homelessness, Mitchell brings extensive experience facilitating…

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Mitchell Findley
Napa, California

Mitchell is a project manager at Social Change Partners, a consulting firm that supports child welfare and behavioral health systems across California. With a background in foster care and youth homelessness, Mitchell brings extensive experience facilitating community engagement, leading program evaluations, and guiding counties through strategic planning processes. His work focuses on promoting equity, amplifying youth and caregiver voice, and helping public agencies implement trauma-informed, data-driven practices that center healing and connection.

Micah Ruiz
Murrieta, California

Micah Ruiz currently serves on the A Home Within community advisory board. As a former foster youth who aged out of care at age 21, he provides a unique and personal point of view. Micah brings experience and perspective of being an older, queer foster youth of color.

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Micah Ruiz
Murrieta, California

Micah Ruiz currently serves on the A Home Within community advisory board. As a former foster youth who aged out of care at age 21, he provides a unique and personal point of view. Micah brings experience and perspective of being an older, queer foster youth of color. He prioritizes offering a diverse, empathetic and trauma informed point of view.

List of Publications

The following publications and presentations are developed from the research made possible by the generosity of the Baker Street Foundation.

Featured Article:

A Qualitative Investigation of Foster Youth Mental Health Outcomes: Measuring What Matters
Authored by Saralyn Ruff, Deanna Linville, Carolina Ramirez, Nick Vasquez, Corie Schwabenland

This recently published paper in the Journal of Child and Family Studies explores the impact of therapeutic support for current and former foster youth, and underscores the importance of relationship-based mental health care.

Publications:

Ruff, S. C., Linville, D., Ramirez, C., Vasquez, N., & Schwabenland, C. (2025). Foster youth mental health outcomes: Measuring what matters. Journal of Child and Family Studies.

Ruff, S. C., Linville, D., & Hawkins, Q. (2024). A qualitative investigation of the relationships between child welfare stakeholders and research. Global Social Welfare.

Linville, D., Ruff, S. C., Morgan, K., & Zilberstein, K. (2024). The nuances of therapeutic relationships with foster youth. Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Linville, D., Ruff, S. C., & Zilberstein, K. (2024). Skills and knowledge therapists need to work with foster youth: According to key Stakeholders in child welfare. Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Linville, D., & Ruff, S. C. (2024). Overlapping ideas for mentorship and psychotherapy for current and former foster youth. Invited chapter for publication in The Handbook of Professional Youth Mentoring (Springer Nature).

Ruff, S., Linville, D., & Vasquez, N. (2023). “Resilience,” as Defined by Foster Youth and Key Stakeholders. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 1-31.

Ruff, S. C., Linville, D., Clausen, J. M., & J. Kjellstrand, J. (2022). Preliminary effects of A Home Within psychotherapy with former and current foster youth. Children and Youth Services Review.

Ruff, S. C., Jones, C. L., & Clausen, J. M. (2019). A descriptive analysis of long-term treatment with adolescent-aged foster youth. Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma, 12(3), 331–340.

Ruff, S. C., Aguilar, R., & Clausen, J. M. (2016). An exploratory study of mental health interventions with infants and young children in foster care. Journal of Family Social Work, 19, 184-198.

Clausen, J. M., Aguilar, R. M., & Ludwig, M. E. (2012). Fostering healthy attachment between substance dependent parents and their infant children. Journal of Infant, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, 11(4), 376–386.

Clausen, J. M., Ruff, S. C., von Wiederhold, W., & Heineman, T. V. (2012). For as long as it takes: Relationship-based play therapy for children in foster care. Psychoanalytic Social Work, 19(1-2), 43–53.

Interview:

Abrams, Z. (2023, March 1). Psychologists work to support children and parents in the child welfare system, but more is needed. Monitor on Psychology, 54(2).

Presentations:

Ruff, S. C. & Linville, D. (2023). Research on Child Welfare: A discussion of clinical implications. Continued education event presented to A Home Within clinicians.

Vasquez, N., Linville, D., Ruff, S., & Eddy, J. (2022). “Resilience” as defined by people in child welfare. American Psychological Association Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN.

Vasquez, N., Linville, D., Ruff, S., & Eddy, J. (2022). “My voice matters too:” Foster youth perspectives on improving therapeutic outcomes. American Psychological Association Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN.

Vasquez, N., Linville, D., Ruff, S., & Eddy, J. (2022). “Resilience” as defined by people in child welfare. Western Psychological Association Annual Conference, Portland, OR.
Note: Voted Best Poster Abstract

Vasquez, N., Linville, D., Ruff, S., & Eddy, J. (2022). “My voice matters too:” Foster youth perspectives on improving therapeutic outcomes. Western Psychological Association Annual Conference, Portland, OR.

Vasquez, N. & Ruff, S. (Under Review). A qualitative investigation of the relationships between child welfare stakeholders and research. Society for Social Work and Research 29th Annual Conference.

Vasquez, N. & Ruff, S. (Under Review). Seeking Services: A Summary of Mental Health Need As Reported By Foster Youth. Society for Social Work and Research 29th Annual Conference.

Vasquez, N. & Ruff, S. (Under Review). Seeking Services: A Summary of Mental Health Need As Reported By Foster Youth. International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

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At a Glance

24 years partnering with Foster Care Research Group
Over 20 publications
Randomized control trial launched 2024
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