The MTFC model is protected by trademark, and only organisations that are certified or receiving consultation from TFC Consultants or a Network Partner can use the name Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care or its abbreviation MTFC.

The MTFCE National Team is UK Network Partner which enables the team to provide consultation and implementation services to sites setting up programmes.

History

The MTFC model was developed in the 1980s by research scientist Patricia Chamberlain at the renowned Oregon Social Learning Center (OSLC), an independent, not-for-profit research organisation founded by clinical psychologist Gerry R Patterson.

OSLC conducts pioneering research into the social development of children and designs innovative treatment programmes. At the core of this work is the coercion theory of social learning, which describes how patterns of family interaction might produce conduct problems in children.

When MTFC started showing positive results, it was expanded beyond Oregon to other US states and into Europe, including the development of a national government funded programme in England (MTFCE).

Consultation and certification

OSLC continues to focus on research while implementation and related services ensuring model adherence are provided by TFC Consultants, Inc.

Certification standards are specified in a collaborative effort between OSLC, TFC Consultants, Inc and an independent organisation, the Center for Research to Practice, that works to create a bridge between research results and changes in practice.