Organizational challenges to implementing attachment-based practices in public child welfare agencies: An example using the circle of security^® model

Attachment theory has attracted the attention of public child welfare administrators hoping to implement evidence-based practices that promote positive parent-child relationships. Moving from a theoretical approach to an implemented practice is challenging. This article outlines diffusion of innovation theory as a framework to understand internal and external organizational structures that promote and impede the adoption of new ideas. Implementation of a pilot treatment model based on attachment theory and research will be discussed. It is anticipated that this synthesis of attachment practice with diffusion of innovation theory will be useful to practitioners and managers seeking to address issues of maltreatment, loss, and trauma prevalent among families in the child welfare system. Recommendations are offered for diffusing an attachment-based model into public child welfare agencies.