Implementation fidelity of Team Decisionmaking

Prior to pursuing a full outcome evaluation, studies of implementation fidelity are often conducted to determine the extent to which practice-level implementation conforms to a program's specified conceptual framework and practice guidelines. This purpose of this study is to measure indicators of the implementation of Team Decisionmaking (TDM), an approach to making child welfare placement decisions sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, in which birth parents, relatives and community members play a central role in the decision-making process. Researchers review literature pertaining to implementation fidelity, especially in the field of child welfare, and outline the key components of TDM practice. Quantitative analyses of TDM implementation indicators across three sites reveal a large degree of consistency in adherence to practice guidelines, although key discrepancies point to the need for closer examinations of cross-site differences. Researchers conclude with implications for practice and research.