About Us / Research
Celebrating 30 Years of 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
A Home Within has long been committed to documenting the impacts of our work through rigorous research and evaluation. Since 2001, the University of San Francisco’s Foster Care Research Group, led by Dr. Saralyn Ruff and Dr. June Clausen, has measured therapist-reported treatment outcomes for the young people A Home Within serves.
All of our research is conducted with the larger goal of reducing barriers so more foster youth can receive mental health services.
Findings show that A Home Within’s model of open-ended, relationship-based, trauma-informed psychotherapy for foster youth has contributed to the significant reduction of mental health symptoms including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and dissociative states, all of which would otherwise have grave consequences if left un- or under-treated.
Our longstanding relationship with USF’s Foster Care Research Group has entered an exciting new phase — as of March 1 2024, they have launched a Randomized Control Trial, led by Dr. Saralyn Ruff. Rooted in a compassionate commitment to reducing barriers to mental health support, the RCT will be providing Peer Support Groups for adult clients around the country.
Any adult client referred after March 1, 2024 will be eligible to participate, but participation is entirely optional and does not impact a client’s ability to receive services through A Home Within. We are excited to support this endeavor and grateful for the valuable learning that will come.
Watch research partner Saralyn Ruff and National Program Director Grace Manger discuss resesarch at A Home Within below.
Saralyn Ruff
University of San Francisco
List of Publications
The following publications and presentations are developed from the research made possible by the generosity of the Baker Street Foundation.
Publications:
Linville, D., Ruff, S. C., Morgan, K., & Zilberstein, K. (Accepted June 2024). The nuances of therapeutic relationships with foster youth. Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy.
Linville, D., Ruff, S. C., & Zilberstein, K. (Published July 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. (Accepted May 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., Linville, D., Ramirez, C., Vasquez, N., & Schwabenland, C. (Revise and Resubmit). Foster youth mental health outcomes: Measuring what matters. Journal of Child and Family Studies.
Ruff, S. C., Linville, D., & Hawkins, Q. (Revise and Resubmit). A qualitative investigation of the relationships between child welfare stakeholders and research. Global Social Welfare.
Ruff, S. C., Linville, D., & Hawkins, Q. (In Preparation). Seeking services: A summary of clinical intakes completed by current and former foster youth.
Ruff, S. C., Linville, D., & Clausen, J. M. (In Preparation). A longitudinal evaluation of therapy with and for former foster youth.
Zilberstein, K., Linville, D., & Ruff, S. C. (In Preparation). A qualitative report of experiences of betrayal trauma among former foster youth.
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.
At a Glance
23 years partnering with Foster Care Research Group
Over 20 publications
Randomized control trial launched 2024