Research Activities

JCFS is dedicated to serving its clients, staff and communities through initiatives and leadership in applied research. Past and current research interests include such challenges as studying early interventions for young children with autism, preventing substance abuse, treating substance abuse problems in children and adolescents and exploring psychosocial outcomes of children in foster care.

Comparing Two Early Intervention Methods for Children with Autism: Full-Day Preschool and Home-Based Applied Behavior Therapy
This outcome study is one of the first investigations comparing the efficacy of two intervention programs for young children with autism. The behavioral and developmental outcomes of children with autism participating in two different intervention programs: a full-day preschool—JCFS’ Early Childhood Autism Academy—and In-Home Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy, were examined. Data from the children and their parents were compared to the In-Home ABA therapy provided by Anne Maxwell, Ph.D. (Behavioral Consultation Services). The results suggest that there are reliable improvements in children attending the preschool across a variety of domains including language, socialization and problem behaviors.

The study was funded by the Fund for Innovation in Health, an initiative of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and the Michael Reese Health Trust, and from the Washington Square Health Foundation. The principle investigators were David Breiger, Ph.D., (University of Washington), Robert Daniels, Ph.D., (Children’s Clinic in Chicago) and David Rubovits, Ph.D. (JCFS).

If you have any questions about this study please contact Robert Daniels, Ph.D. (Children’s Clinic) at 312 587 1742.

Click here to download the results of this study.

Factors Impacting Permanency Outcomes for Foster Children Before and After Passage of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997

Although considerable research has been done on the numerous factors that affect how children enter and exit the child welfare system, few studies have explored the impact of federal legislation on the outcomes of foster children. This study examines the emotional and behavioral functioning and permanency results of a sample of children (n=126) placed in specialized foster care who left care pre-and post-passage of the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997. Results show that the permanency rate was greater among children who left care post-ASFA, although these children experienced higher rates of emotional and behavioral problems.

The study was funded by the University of Illinois’ Children and Family Research Center. 

If you have any questions about this study please contact principle investigators, Sabrina Townsend, MA at 847-412-4356 or Annette Hignight, MA at 847 412 4371.

Once the results are published, they will be available here in pdf format.

Examining the Relationship Between Adolescent Substance Use and Executive Functions

A growing body of research points to neurological risk factors for adolescent substance use. This study aims to replicate previous research findings regarding the relationship between substance use and level of executive functions (EF) in a sample of adolescents in both community-based outpatient substance abuse treatment and general outpatient mental health treatment. Further more, this study examines the relationship between level of EF and progress in treatment.

A battery of neuropsychological measures, including the Continuous Performance Test (CPT), Trail Making Test, Verbal Fluency Test, Design Fluency Test, Color Word Interference Test and Tower Test, was administered to a group of known Substance Users (n=14) and presumed Non-users (n=40) to measure the level of executive functions (EF). Results show that Substance Users had significantly slower processing speed than Non-users. The rate of low EF was similar across both groups on other measures of EF. Treatment progress, whether for substance abuse or general mental health concerns, can be accurately predicted 75% of the time by three variables: participation in treatment, age of the adolescent and level of EF.

The study was funded by the Lawrence and Lillian Goodman Family Foundation.

If you have any questions about this study please contact Sabrina Townsend, MA at 847 412 4356.

Once the results are published, they will be available here in pdf format.