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Home > Featured Programs from the First Emerging Practices Review Process
Emerging Practices in the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
Featured Programs from the First Emerging Practices Review Process The Children's Bureau's Office on Child Abuse and Neglect is pleased to present the results of the Emerging Practices in the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect project, which was initiated to identify effective and innovative programs in child abuse and neglect prevention around the nation. In partnership with the prevention community, OCAN implemented this review to elevate our understanding of prevention programs and initiatives, and to share information on emerging and promising practices with the field. To ensure that this initiative reflected the needs of the field, an Advisory Group of experts in the field of child maltreatment, prevention, and evaluation was assembled to provide input into the planning and development of the review. OCAN then designed and implemented a nomination process whereby professionals, working at the program level, could nominate programs that would be instructive to the entire field and warrant national attention based on strong performance. Advisory Group members served as peer reviewers for all nominated programs. The initiative targeted two main categories of programs:
From June through August 2002, child abuse and neglect prevention professionals were invited to submit nominations of programs for consideration as "Effective" or "Innovative." OCAN received 7 nominations under the "Effective" category and 21 nominations for consideration as "Innovative." All nominators were required to submit an application documenting the following for each program:
Nominations submitted as "Effective" were required to describe their evaluation design, methodology, and results, and submit copies of any evaluation reports. "Innovative" applicants were required to document the program's significant activities and accomplishments. Each program also submitted three references. See Appendix A for a copy of the nomination instruments. Once nominations were submitted, supplemental information was sought from programs only in direct response to specific reviewer questions. Additionally, contact was made with a sample of references to gain additional clarification about the innovative aspects of programs. At no time were site visits conducted to gather program or evaluation information. Nomination Review Working with a diverse pool of nominations, the Advisory Group met in October and November 2002 to review each nomination and to reach consensus regarding the final disposition and categorization of each nominated program. Nominations of programs submitted as "Effective" were reviewed with an emphasis on the quality of the methodological design and the integrity of the resulting program outcomes. For those submitted as "Innovative," reviewers looked for new, creative ideas and strategies for preventing child abuse and neglect. During the course of the review, however, it became apparent that a substantial number of nominations did not meet the criteria for "Innovative" because of program age and activities or the criteria for "Effective" due to inconclusive outcomes based on methodological design considerations. However, many of these programs either had interesting and unique aspects or had made a concerted effort to undertake research and evaluation with limited resources. The Advisory Group concluded that these programs had features that would be informative to the field. Consequently, the Advisory Group wanted to recognize the "noteworthy aspects" of those programs, especially those that made a good effort at evaluation and presented positive preliminary results, as well as programs with some unique aspect that could possibly be replicable or programs that could become candidates for more rigorous evaluation. Review Results The Effective Program review presents programs that have focused efforts on evaluation and have conclusive or preliminary positive outcomes. While further study is needed, this review provided some evidence that certain approaches are working. There were three programs selected under the two categories of "Demonstrated Effective" and "Reported Effective." These programs represent three distinct approaches with specific strategies that may be effective in preventing child abuse and neglect. The diversity of these programs is reflected in their services, ranging from parent education to family support services to emergency services. While targeting families and children at risk for child abuse and neglect, each of these programs was designed to increase protective factors and reduce risk factors related to child abuse and neglect. Findings from the evaluations of these three programs suggest that these approaches are likely to lead to:
While these programs offer promising, replicable approaches to preventing child abuse and neglect, additional evaluation studies using more rigorous research designs are still needed. The Innovative Program review presents programs that showcase a new strategy in prevention, have overcome barriers to success, or have dealt creatively with a particular issue. Each Innovative program is presented in a profile outlining the primary program goals and activities of the program and describing the unique characteristics of the program that make it "Innovative." The rest of this section presents brief profiles that outline the noteworthy aspects of other nominated programs that are informative to the field. Highlights of innovative aspects from the nominations include:
Together, these reviews provide a snapshot of some emerging practices in child abuse and neglect prevention and can help inform the field regarding interesting and important initiatives. The following sections highlight programs from the Emerging Practices review. Demonstrated Effective ProgramsThe "Demonstrated Effective Programs" category was designed to identify programs that show positive outcomes in the prevention of child abuse and neglect using rigorous evaluation methods including an experimental design. The Family Connections program was the only program that was nominated for this category. The Advisory Group determined that this program has undergone rigorous evaluation using an experimental design with random assignment, and the results demonstrate positive outcomes for participants. FAMILY CONNECTIONS Demonstrated Effective Program Program Type: Psychosocial early intervention Target Population: At-risk families with children ages 5-11 Setting: Community Essential Components Emergency assistance Univ. of MD School of Social Work Family Connections is a community-based program of the University of Maryland, Baltimore Center for Families. This program promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through family and community services, professional education and training, and research and evaluation. The primary goal is to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of early intervention models of community-based, neglect-prevention, psychosocial service programs for families who are having significant difficulty meeting the needs of their children. Program results have suggested that it improves parenting skills, reduces parental depression, and reduces children's behavioral problems. The program is built on a set of 9 practice principles that have evolved from what is known to work best with vulnerable families: community outreach; family assessment and customized interventions; helping alliance; empowerment approaches; strengths' perspective; cultural competence; developmental appropriateness; outcome-driven service plans; and emphasis on positive attitudes and the qualities of helpers. Targeted Outcomes Family Connections is designed to increase protective factors by:
Family Connections also addresses risk factors by:
Target Population Family Connections targets families who have: 1) at least one child between the ages of 5 and 11 years; 2) no current CPS involvement; 3) a stated willingness to participate; 4) an exhibited risk for one or more of 19 operationalized neglect subtypes; and 5) at least two additional risk factors for child abuse and neglect. How the Program Works Family Connections involves:
Evaluation Design The Family Connections program was evaluated using an experimental pre- and post-design with a comparison group of families who received a shorter period of services. Specifics of the evaluation design include:
Evaluation Findings The evaluation findings suggest that Family Connections can: (1) increase the protective factors for child neglect; (2) decrease the risk factors for child neglect; (3) reduce the incidents of child abuse and neglect; and (4) increase child safety and well-being. Program Outcomes
*Significant differences over time for both treatment groups but no difference between treatment groups. Back to Demonstrated Effective Programs Reported Effective ProgramsThe "Reported Effective Programs" category was designed to identify programs that have shown positive outcomes in the prevention of child abuse and neglect using quasi- or non-experimental methods. The Advisory Group reviewed each nomination's evaluation methodologies and reported results. The Circle of Security program and the Families and Centers Empowered Together programs were selected from the nominations submitted. These programs show credible positive outcomes derived from research using quasi-experimental methodologies. Circle of Security CIRCLE OF SECURITY Reported Effective Program Program Type: Parent education Target Population: Head Start/Early Head Start families Setting: Head Start centers Essential Components: Group instruction Center for Clinical Intervention The Circle of Security program is a 20-week, group-based, parent educational and psychotherapeutic intervention designed to shift patterns of caregiving interactions in high-risk, caregiver-child dyads to a more appropriate developmental pathway. Using edited videotapes of their interactions with their children, caregivers are encouraged to: 1) increase their sensitivity and appropriate responsiveness to their children's signals for closeness and comfort, affect regulation, and exploration and autonomy; 2) increase their ability to reflect on their own and their child's behaviors, thoughts, and feelings regarding their attachment-caregiving interactions; and 3) reflect on experiences in their own histories that affect their current caregiving patterns. Preliminary evaluation results have suggested that Circle of Security may lead to more appropriate caregiving strategies and increased attachment between caregivers and their children. Targeted Outcomes The Circle of Security program is designed to:
How the Program Works The Circle of Security program is based at Head Start and Early Head Start centers. The three major program components are:
Evaluation Design The Circle of Security program was evaluated using a quasi-experimental, pre- and post-design with no comparison group. Specifics of the evaluation included:
Evaluation Findings Further evaluation studies using more rigorous research methodologies are needed to determine the impact of the Circle of Security program. However, preliminary evaluation findings have been positive, suggesting that Circle of Security may have:
Back to Reported Effective Programs FAMILIES AND CENTERS EMPOWERED TOGETHER (FACET) WILMINGTON, DELAWARE Reported Effective Program Program Type: Family support Target Population: Families in urban, high-risk, low-income areas Setting: Child care centers Essential Components: Family support services Office of Prevention and Early Intervention Families and Centers Empowered Together (FACET) is a family support and empowerment prevention program developed by Delaware's Office of Prevention and Early Intervention. The program seeks to develop and sustain an environment of family support and empowerment within child care centers in high-risk neighborhoods by providing a range of services onsite for families whose children are enrolled. The program also maintains Parent Councils that select programs and activities that reflect the needs and desires of families with an overall goal of promoting health and parent participation. Preliminary evaluation findings suggest that FACET may improve parenting efficacy, decision-making skills, family cohesion, family communication, and family coping. Targeted Outcomes The FACET program is designed to:
How the Program Works The FACET program is based upon the national Parent Services Project. The program offers a range of activities, services, and training opportunities. Key components include:
Evaluation Methodology Two preliminary evaluations of FACET have been conducted including: 1) a demonstration using a quasi-experimental, pre- and post-design with a comparison group of families from non-FACET child care centers and 2) a post-only, follow-up study that also included a comparison group of families from non-FACET child care centers. Specific characteristics of the evaluation studies included:
Evaluation Findings Further evaluation studies using more rigorous research methodologies are needed to determine the impact of the FACET program. However, preliminary evaluation findings have been positive and FACET may have:
* Among families who participated frequently compared with families who participated infrequently. Back to Reported Effective Programs Innovative ProgramsThe "Innovative Programs" category was designed to identify programs that have overcome a particular challenge or obstacle to success through innovative methods or that are showcasing an exciting new approach to prevention. The Advisory Group reviewed each program with an emphasis on the aspects of the program considered innovative within the national context of child abuse and neglect prevention efforts. Programs selected as innovative were utilizing a unique strategy in prevention, using an interesting new approach, or had dealt particularly well with a challenge. Acupuncture Initiative to Improve Retention in a Parenting Class ACUPUNCTURE INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE RETENTION IN A PARENTING CLASS Program Type: Parent education Target Population: Adults in childbearing years Setting: Health care center Essential Components: Classroom instruction Parent Child Health Unit The Southwest Washington Health District offers a series of award-winning parenting classes, "Make Parenting a Pleasure." In response to obstacles in retaining and engaging participants, the program implemented an acupuncture initiative. An ear needling protocol was initiated as an optional intervention as part of the stress management segment of the parenting class. By using the acupuncture procedure, the program hopes to prevent child abuse and neglect by decreasing stress and anxiety among parents, increasing social support, and increasing parents' receptiveness to the messages of the parent education curriculum. What Does the Acupuncture Initiative Seek to Accomplish? The purpose of the "Make Parenting a Pleasure" parent education program is to increase the personal skills and abilities that lead to successful parenting, thereby reducing the incidence of child abuse and neglect in families attending the series. After identifying a high level of stress among many participants and a problem with getting participants to complete the parent education series, the acupuncture initiative was implemented with the goals of:
By engaging participants in the "Make Parenting a Pleasure" curriculum for a longer period of time, and decreasing their stress and anxiety levels, the initiative aims to:
What Activities or Services Does the Acupuncture Initiative Provide? Participants and program staff are invited to come an hour early each week before the parenting class to receive an acupuncture treatment from a public health nurse. Participation is entirely optional. The procedure consists of the following:
Innovative Characteristics of the Acupuncture Initiative
Other Achievements:
Back to Innovative Programs FATHERS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER (FACT) Program Type: Parent education Target Population: Incarcerated fathers Setting: Minimum security prison Essential Components: Classroom instruction Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky The Fathers and Children Together (FACT) program, a component of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, is a prison-based parenting program located at a State minimum-security institution, Blackburn Correctional Complex in Lexington, Kentucky. The program was developed in response to a need among incarcerated fathers to receive parent education. Through a 13-week classroom-based education curriculum, special father-child visiting sessions, family outreach efforts, and leadership opportunities, FACT aims to prevent child abuse and neglect while striving to reduce recidivism among incarcerated fathers. What Does FACT Seek to Accomplish? The mission of FACT is to prevent abusive and neglectful parenting practices among incarcerated fathers while striving to reduce recidivism by strengthening parental knowledge and raising the importance of fatherhood. Specifically, the program aims to reduce the potential for child abuse and neglect and promote the involvement of fathers in the lives of children by creating positive father and child experiences, providing opportunities for learning inside prison, and promoting protective factors and coping skills for maltreatment risk factors. The program's goals are to address parental and family risk and protective factors by:
What Activities or Services are Provided by FACT? Classroom Education
Special Visits
Family Outreach
The FACT program is open to all inmates, at any time during their incarceration. After inmates complete the program, they are able to continue to participate in FACT activities, including the Special Visits, ongoing classes, and the Storybook Project. Upon their release from prison, participants are referred to similar services within their communities. Innovative Characteristics of the FACT program
Back to Innovative Programs FREEPOPS Program Type: Child outreach Target Population: Children and youth ages 6 to 14 Setting: High-risk communities Essential Components: Community outreach Freepops Coordinator Freepops, a program of Communities Together for Kids (CTF-Kids), is a free summer and after-school program offering structured, supervised educational and recreational activities to at-risk youth ages 6 to 14. CTF-Kids supports programs throughout high-risk communities in Rice County, Minnesota and is focused on promoting healthy families through collaborations among professionals and agencies concerned about children, community members, and parents. Freepops is supported by CTF-Kids as a child abuse prevention outreach program aimed at teaching children about personal safety and other prosocial behaviors. What Does Freepops Seek to Accomplish? CTF-Kids seeks to prevent child maltreatment by providing educational opportunities and materials to parents, children, and professionals and by supporting, promoting, and implementing activities that encourage nonviolence, healthy decision-making, and the strengthening of families. Freepops aims to teach at-risk children and youth about personal safety and other prosocial behaviors. Specifically, Freepops has the following goals:
What Activities or Services are Provided by Freepops? Freepops offers structured, supervised educational and recreational activities that build skills in conflict resolution, healthy decision-making, and personal health and safety for children and youth. Children are broken up into groups based on age and gender and move as a group through a series of stations, which include recreational activities, sports, water games, and arts and crafts. At least two of the stations include a presentation or lesson on a skill-building topic. The presentations and lessons are designed to be interactive, can be modified to be age-appropriate, and cover topics such as:
These presentations and lessons are led by a child advocate from the WomanSafe Center, a domestic violence and sexual assault organization in the community. The advocate also distributes informational materials (e.g., brochures, coloring books) to children to encourage disclosure about abuse and neglect. The Freepops program also includes field trips to local recreational and sporting events. Freepops is held twice a week for 10 weeks in 4 high-risk communities during the summer, and once a week at 3 schools during the school year. Innovative Characteristics of Freepops
Other Achievements:
Back to Innovative Programs HOMES FOR THE HOMELESS FAMILY CRISIS NURSERIES Program Type: Crisis nurseries/respite care Target Population: Homeless families Setting: Homeless shelters/service centers Essential Components: Temporary shelter for children Homes for the Homeless Homes for the Homeless (HFH) Family Crisis Nurseries work with families residing in New York City who are in need of respite care for their children during a time of crisis. HFH provides temporary shelter for children and follow-up use of the nursery, as well as educational programs and support for parents. Through these activities, HFH aims to prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening and preserving homeless families and by offering them an alternative to placing their children in unsafe, high-risk situations or foster care during times of crisis. What Does Homes for the Homeless Seek to Accomplish? The mission of HFH is to preserve families and prevent unnecessary foster care placements by intervening at the moment of crisis and by addressing the underlying issues that precipitate crisis. The HFH Crisis Nurseries attempt to prevent child abuse and neglect by offering homeless parents and parents in the community the opportunity to resolve their immediate crises while simultaneously confronting the factors that threaten family stability. It offers parents the continued support they need to create healthy and secure homes for their children. Several distinct objectives provide a framework for participants in HFH services:
What Activities or Services are Provided by Homes for the Homeless? The HFH Crisis Nurseries provide temporary, emergency childcare along with parent support and education, and intensive home-based aftercare services. Each nursery can accommodate up to 10 children during the day and 6 at night. Children are able to stay for up to 72 hours and can visit for up to 30 days a year. HFH provides an array of services for the entire family, including: Children's Services
Parent Services
HFH also provides aftercare services for up to 18 months to help create long-term solutions that foster a safe and supportive environment for children. These services include crisis intervention, home visits, counseling, advocacy, parenting classes, job training, and referrals for community resources. Innovative Characteristics of Homes for the Homeless
Other Achievements:
Back to Innovative Programs HUI MAKUAKANE Program Type: Home visitation/father support Target Population: Fathers Setting: In home Essential Components: Home visiting Hui Makuakane The Hui Makuakane Program recognizes the important role of fathers in the family and supports that role through a variety of activities, including home visits, group activities, and crisis support. The program was developed in response to a need to engage fathers in the Hana Like Home Visitor Program, a Healthy Families in Hawaii home visitation program for the entire family. Receiving referrals from the Hana Like Program, Hui Makuakane provides supportive services to fathers, both in and out of the home, with the goal of preventing child abuse and neglect by engaging fathers in the lives of their children and supporting them as effective parents and positive role models. What Does Hui Makuakane Seek to Accomplish? Hui Makuakane aims to recognize and support the role of fathers in the family. Through its services, the program seeks to accomplish the following 6 goals, including to:
The program also hopes to engage fathers and increase their participation in the services for the entire family. What Activities or Services Does Hui Makuakane Provide? The Hui Makuakane Program recognizes and provides support to the father's role in the family through group activities, home visits, career development, job help, support in crisis, referral to other community resources, and outreach to fathers in correctional facilities. Home visits by Father Facilitators for all fathers enrolled in the program are the primary service provided by Hui Makuakane. The program provides several other services aimed at strengthening families, encouraging positive parent-child interaction, and engaging fathers in nurturing their children, partners, and themselves:
Innovative Characteristics of Hui Makuakane
Other Achievements:
Back to Innovative Programs PARENTING PARTNERSHIP Program Type: Home visitation Target Population: Families of medically fragile infants Setting: In home Essential Components: Home visiting Parenting Partnership Parenting Partnership is a home visitation program based on the STEEP program service model and is designed to meet the needs of medically fragile children living in socially vulnerable families. The program was developed after staff of the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital identified a need for post-neonatal intensive care unit support for unprepared, isolated parents with medically fragile children. Through weekly home visits and monthly support group meetings, Parenting Partnership hopes to prevent maltreatment by helping parents resolve their abuse histories, foster predictable, responsive care for their sick infant, ameliorate social isolation, and increase problem-solving skills. What Does Parenting Partnership Seek to Accomplish? Parenting Partnership seeks to prevent child abuse and neglect among families whose infant is compromised due to prematurity or another congenital condition and whose parents have childhood histories of abuse and endorse high levels of stress related to the care of their infant. The mission of the program is to bolster protective factors among these families with the categorical intent being the reduction of child maltreatment for a population of at-risk children who cannot afford to be further compromised. By focusing on enhancing a variety of protective factors, the program seeks to help parents achieve the following goals:
What Activities or Services Does Parenting Partnership Provide? The Parenting Partnership provides weekly home visits by a clinician for the first three years of a child's life. Visits are approximately one hour in duration and are comprised of a variety of therapeutic activities intended to enhance parenting skills and resolve issues related to the parents' own difficult childhood. These include:
On the first 2 visits, a nurse accompanies the clinician to assist with questions or issues concerning the infant's medical care. The program also includes monthly group meetings that serve as a psychoeducational and social support function, covering a particular topic of interest (e.g., defining "good mother") and engaging participants in a discussion or a related activity. Innovative Characteristics of Parenting Partnership
Other Achievements:
Back to Innovative Programs PARENTS ENCOURAGING PARENTS Program Type: Parent education Target Population: Parents nationwide Setting: Online Essential Components: Web-based parenting classes Parents Encouraging Parents Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) is a parent education program offering live, interactive parenting classes over the Internet. Providing classes online, PEP provides parents with the opportunity to attend classes anonymously in their own homes and is able to meet the needs of parents without access to classes locally. Through these online classes in which participants are able to hear the lecture, view PowerPoint presentations, receive resource materials, and ask questions, PEP hopes to prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening families nationwide. What Does Parents Encouraging Parents Seek to Accomplish? With the aim of preventing and reducing child abuse and neglect, PEP is dedicated to strengthening families by providing parents with education, skills, and support. PEP is a primary and secondary prevention program with the following goals, including to:
What Activities or Services are Provided by Parents Encouraging Parents? PEP strives to help parents by providing them with the information, techniques, and support they need through parenting classes, online and in person, as well as through individual parenting consultation over the phone, via Email, and in person. The parenting classes consist of a 14-unit series that meets each week for 90 minutes. The classes stress the importance that expressions of love, positive communication and interaction, praise, encouragement, and positive expectations play in building a warm relationship between parent and child and in the effectiveness of positive discipline. Content of the classes includes:
Online classes are presented in real time (i.e., live) and are fully interactive so that parents can hear the lecture, view PowerPoint slides, and ask questions via a microphone or through typed text chats, as needed. The same issues are covered in groups who meet with the instructor in person. Individual consultations are available to anyone who attends a parenting class in person or via the Internet. This may include home visits for persons residing in the area, while others receive consultation with the instructors through Email or telephone. Innovative Characteristics of Parents Encouraging Parents
Other Achievements:
Back to Innovative Programs Programs with Noteworthy AspectsIn the course of the program review, it became apparent that several programs did not meet the criteria for consideration as "Effective" due to methodological design issues, or "Innovative" due to program age or strategy. It also was clear that many of these programs had interesting and unique characteristics, or had attempted to conduct good research with limited resources. The Advisory Group recognized that these programs each had noteworthy aspects that may be informative to other professionals in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. They are presented in the following sections with programs nominated as "Reported Effective" presented first, and programs nominated as "Innovative" presented second. Healthy Families Arizona HEALTHY FAMILIES ARIZONA Program Type: Home visitation Target Population: At-risk families with newborns Setting: Home Essential Components: Home visits Healthy Families Arizona Healthy Families Arizona provides a statewide system of home visitation services that builds on family strengths, promotes health, optimizes child development, and prevents child abuse and neglect. Healthy Families Arizona targets families with multiple risk factors for child abuse and neglect. The program coordinates with hospitals to identify mothers giving birth in specific geographic regions and whose family characteristics may place them at risk for committing child abuse and neglect. Families who are identified are then assessed for enrollment into the program. If the assessment indicates that Healthy Families Arizona can address the family's needs, the family is offered services. Enrollment into the program is completely voluntary. The primary goals of Healthy Families Arizona are to promote child health and development, enhance positive parent-child interaction, and prevent child abuse and neglect. Home visitation is the core service for families enrolled in Healthy Families Arizona. Intensity of service depends on family needs, and gradually decreases from weekly home visits to quarterly home visits. Services are provided for up to 5 years. Home visitors link families to health care systems with emphasis on primary prevention. Families may also be linked to financial services, food and housing assistance services, childcare, job training, family support centers, substance abuse treatment programs, domestic violence shelters, and school readiness programs. Services focus primarily on enhancing parent-child interaction, child development, and family functioning. Noteworthy Aspects of the Healthy Families Arizona Program:
Back to Programs with Noteworthy Aspects SACRAMENTO CRISIS NURSERY Program Type: Crisis nursery/respite care Target Population: At-risk families with children from birth to age 5 Setting: Nursery and child care center Essential Components: Respite services Sacramento Children's Home The mission of the Sacramento Crisis Nursery is to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing support to families in crisis through residential respite care for children from birth to 5. All Nursery services are geared toward supporting and strengthening the role of the parent as the primary caregiver to provide a stable nurturing environment in which their children can succeed academically, socially, physically, and emotionally. The Sacramento Crisis Nursery provides respite (relief) care and early intervention services to families who are experiencing a crisis. Ultimately, the program seeks to increase the capacity of parents to be more responsible for themselves and the health and well-being of their children. The Crisis Nursery provides immediate safety and security to children at risk of being abused or neglected. All children staying at the Nursery are checked for and receive needed immunizations, physical exams, and developmental assessments. Childcare staff also provide tailored services to children with special needs. Children are given nutritious meals and appropriate developmental activities. Children are registered in school if they are school age, and Head Start or preschool programs, if appropriate. Parents must visit the Nursery every other day and participate in activities with their children. Staff work with the entire family primarily through a case-managed service that includes intake and diagnosis, counseling and consulting, referrals to services, coordinating services, client advocacy, follow-up on completion of services, mediation, transportation, and in-home follow-up. Noteworthy Aspects of the Sacramento Crisis Nursery:
Back to Programs with Noteworthy Aspects ASSESSMENT SERVICES MODEL PILOT Program Type: Comprehensive assessment of need for services Target Population: All families involved with CPS Setting: Child Protective Services Essential Components: Web-based assessment tools of strengths and vulnerabilities for children, youth, and parents Assessment Services Model Pilot The Assessment Services Model Pilot program is noteworthy in that it shifts the focus of child protective services (CPS) from ensuring availability of services to ensuring that services meet the specific needs of children and families involved with CPS. The program provides proactive, comprehensive assessments to address shortcomings in the current system. In this way, the program bridges a gap in services by ensuring tailored and appropriate interventions that build on existing services to create more effective systems for children. Back to Programs with Noteworthy Aspects FIRST STEPS Program Type: Family support Target Population: All new parents Setting: Hospital/prenatal clinic Essential Components: In-person hospital visits Prevent Child Abuse Georgia The First STEPS Program is notable as a cost-effective, highly replicable and adaptable model for reaching a large number of families. By visiting with parents at birth or prenatally and by providing sustained follow-up, First STEPS intervenes when vulnerability is high and when parents are most approachable, and is able to address a wide range of risk factors before maltreatment occurs. Finally, by collaborating with Healthy Families, this model provides a continuum of services that allows for the level of intensity of support to be increased based on the needs of families. Back to Programs with Noteworthy Aspects FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT Program Type: Public awareness and education Target Population: General adult public Setting: Television, radio, and print ads Essential Components: Public service announcements and paid advertisements on prevalence and consequences of sexual abuse Hotline From Darkness to Light From Darkness to Light is a noteworthy public awareness and education campaign in that it shifts the responsibility of child sexual abuse prevention from children to adults. Utilizing common sense messages for adults and parents, the public service announcements and advertisements center around preventing situations from happening, recognizing signs, and reacting responsibly. The initiative also follows up their media messages by providing a hotline for information and referral to local resources, and is developing a training and education program for educators, the faith community, and physicians on recognizing and responding to signs of child sexual abuse. Back to Programs with Noteworthy Aspects FUSSY BABY PROGRAM Program Type: Home visitation Target Population: Children (birth to 3 years) with regulatory or behavioral disorders Setting: In home Essential Components: Weekly home visitation Oakland Family Services The Fussy Baby Program (FBP) is noteworthy in its focus on the behaviors and needs of at-risk children (i.e., those with a regulatory disorder), as well as the resulting parental stress in identifying families in need of services. FBP uses Infant Mental Health Specialists to support the family in weekly home visits, and a collaborative, multidisciplinary team of medical, mental health, and educational professions to develop a family service plan. This program bridges a gap in services based on the child's and family's needs. Back to Programs with Noteworthy Aspects MIDDLE WAY FAMILY EDUCATION Program Type: Family Education and Support Target Population: Children and parents at risk due to social or environmental factors Setting: Schools, socials services, health care, and correctional facilities Essential Components: Interrelated curricula for parents, teens, and children at 3 age levels Middle Way Family Education Program The Middle Way Family Education program has been implemented in over 150 locations throughout Texas, and is notable in its flexibility and adaptability for diverse settings and a wide variety of service populations. It uses the unique characteristics and talents of the target population in service provision, and extends wraparound services to the entire family. It also is noteworthy in its success in engaging schools and communities, and in providing transitional support from education to practice through support groups. Back to Programs with Noteworthy Aspects NEW JERSEY CHILD ASSAULT PREVENTION PROJECT (NJ CAP) Program Type: Teacher, parent, child education Target Population: School staff, parents, and students of all grade levels Setting: Schools Essential Components: Education-based workshops for school staff, parents, students The NJ CAP Regional Training Center One of the New Jersey Child Assault Prevention Project's (New Jersey CAP) most notable accomplishments is the collaborative efforts made between program staff, school personnel, parents, and students in preventing child assault (in all its forms) and promoting personal safety. Furthermore, New Jersey CAP follows up its 25-year-old, well-developed, highly replicated curriculum with individual consultations between students and CAP facilitators, which provides an opportunity for students to review the workshops from a personal perspective and disclose incidents of assault. Back to Programs with Noteworthy Aspects PARENTS ANONYMOUS® CHILDREN'S PROGRAM Program Type: Family education and support Target Population: Children of parents participating in Parents Anonymous® Groups Setting: Schools, community based organizations, family centers, churches Essential Components: Support groups for children Parents Anonymous®, Inc. The Parents Anonymous® Children's Program is notable for providing a supportive, safe environment for children where they gain positive social skills, improve their problem-solving abilities, and increase their self-esteem. While parents attend the Parents Anonymous® Groups, children engage in a variety of fun, age-appropriate, hands-on activities that stimulate their emotional and social development. Staff are trained on the nationally standardized Parents Anonymous® model. The curriculum-based Children's Program provides an opportunity for children of all ages to learn from one another, helps ensure that children's needs are met, and supports positive family changes. Back to Programs with Noteworthy Aspects PARENTS ANONYMOUS® PARENT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Program Type: Parent leadership training and support Target Population: Parents, agency staff, teachers, childcare workers, etc. Setting: Community based organizations, state agencies, schools, and any family strengthening system Essential Components: Training and technical assistance Parents Anonymous®, Inc. The Parents Anonymous® Parent Leadership program is notable for its commitment to making parent leadership a priority and building a system for promoting leadership among parents and service providers through innovative training and technical assistance strategies. Parents Anonymous® Inc. has developed and disseminated best practices for creating and supporting meaningful leadership roles for parents. Parent leaders are parents who have utilized services and who represent a voice in partnership with staff to help shape policies, programs, and practices. Meaningful parent leadership promotes positive outcomes for families and creates positive systemic change. Back to Programs with Noteworthy Aspects RELIEF NURSERY, INC. Program Type: Crisis nursery and respite care, home visiting, comprehensive services Target Population: Children and parents at risk due to social or environmental factors Setting: Nursery facility Essential Components: Respite care, crisis intervention Relief Nursery, Inc. The Relief Nursery is notable for its unique emphasis on providing a blend of services with the development of specific goals for each family, while being accessible for respite care and crisis intervention. The Nursery attempts to address the needs of the entire family instead of focusing on children or parents, and addresses risk factors for abuse with a concentration on substance abuse. This is a strong, effective model of child protection and family preservation that builds on the belief that children are best served when they remain with their families. Back to Programs with Noteworthy Aspects TODAY'S SINGLE PARENT Program Type: Parent education and support Target Population: Single parents Setting: Community-based organization Essential Components: Culturally sensitive parent training for single parents Today's Single Parent The Today's Single Parent program is noteworthy for targeting single parents and supporting them in their efforts to be good parents regardless of their marital status. The program takes a culturally sensitive approach that responds to the needs of its diverse target population. The program also address violence against both oneself and others, including the operation of a domestic violence parenting program that promotes the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Back to Programs with Noteworthy Aspects
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