Preventing out-of-home placement for high-risk children.

Preventing the removal of high-risk children from their families is investigated through two community-based programs. One program followed a day treatment model; the other used a home-based approach. These programs treated populations that shared common features but also had important differences. In both programs, a high percentage of children were maintained in the home and were still at home one year after discharge. It is suggested that such community-based intervention programs enhance the likelihood that high-risk children can remain with their families.