Feasibility of a Healthy Relationships Program with Youth at a Child Protective Services Agency

Youth involved in child welfare may benefit from programming that enhances their relationship skills given their susceptibility to engaging in high-risk interpersonal behaviors that can lead to challenges such as, engaging in or experiencing violence, housing and job insecurity, and poor physical and mental health. This research explored the feasibility of implementing an evidence-based healthy relationships program, the Healthy Relationships Plus Program - Enhanced (HRP-E), with youth involved in child welfare. Over 9 months, four HRP-E groups were facilitated at a Children’s Aid Society in Ontario, Canada, involving 28 youth. Interviews were conducted with facilitators (n = 5) and youth (n = 13) to examine their views of the program. Facilitators also completed surveys that evaluated the facilitation of each session and overall program implementation. A thematic analysis of the data was conducted and results indicated that the HRP-E was perceived as a valuable program that is relevant and useful for youth involved in child welfare. Participants highlighted trauma-informed practices and organizational resources that are required when facilitating the HRP-E within a child welfare context. The present findings address the theory-to-practice gap by illustrating the practical application of trauma-informed program facilitation. The outcomes of this study contribute to understanding considerations and best practices for implementing a healthy relationships program with youth involved in child welfare.