Michigan pilots US-backed foster care alternative

"The heart of the project is applying both prevention and preservation services for families with young children at high risk for abuse and neglect," said state agency spokesman Dave Akerly. "DHS will partner with private agencies and directly engage with families in their own homes to prevent abuse and neglect and to also prevent removal and eventual placement in foster care."

During the five-year project, "independent third-party evaluations will take place, tracking the overall effectiveness of reaching goals and expected outcomes, and payments to private agencies will be performance based and focused on the outcome for our clients," Akerly said in a statement.

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Michigan foster care: http://1.usa.gov/QJPNUx