Program Evaluation: A Synthesis of Lessons Learned by Child Neglect Demonstration Projects

In-house evaluators

Random assignment to four different intervention groups

12 standardized scales

Baseline, case closure, and 6-month follow-up

Statistical analysis of data

Decrease risk factors for neglect: caregiver depressive symptoms, alcohol use, drug use, functioning, everyday stress, and parent stress

Increase protective factors: attitudes toward change, parenting attitudes, parenting competence, social support and family functioning

Increase child safety: reduce child maltreatment, meet basic needs, improve quality of physical home environment

Improve child well-being: improve behavior and functioning

Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depressed Mood Scale (Radloff, 1977)

CAGE Questionnaire (Ewing, 1984)

NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule Version III (DIS-III-R) (Robins, Helzer, Cottler, & Goldring, 1989)

Family Risk Scales (Magura, Moses, & Jones, 1987)

Child Well-Being Subscale (Magura & Moses, 1987)

Everyday Stressors Index (Hall, Williams, & Greenberg, 1985)

Parenting Stress Index- Short Form (Abidin, 1995)

Child Well-Being Scales (Magura & Moses, 1987)

Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (Bavolek, 1984)

Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (Gibaud-Wallston & Wandersman, 1978)

Social Provisions Scale (Russell & Cutrona, 1984)

Self-Report Family Inventory (Beavers, Hampson, & Hulgus, 1985)

Home Observation for Measure of the Environment (Caldwell & Bradley, 1984)

DHR CIS database

Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach, 1991)

Reduced caregiver depressive symptoms, drug use, life stress, parenting stress

Increased appropriate parenting attitudes, satisfaction with parenting, perceived social support

Fewer CPS reports on participants following than prior to intervention

Enhanced physical and psychological care of children

Decreased caregiver perceptions of child behavior problems

Outside evaluator

Random assignment to comparison and treatment groups

Five standardized scales

Baseline and at 9 months

Statistical analysis of data

Improved caregiver parenting skills

Increased caregiver knowledge and access to community resources

Decreased social isolation

Decreased parent stress

Improved caregiver attitudes and response to children with disabilities/chronic illness

Parenting Stress Index (Abidin,1995)

Social Support Network Inventory (Flaherty, 1983)

Index of knowledge and use of community resources (developed for this program)

Child Well-Being Scales (Magura & Moses, 1987)

Parent-Child Dysfunction Scale of the Parenting Stress Index (Abidin, 1995)

No families in intervention group had child placed in foster care

Some improvement found in parental teaching and stimulation of children

Parents experienced an improvement in their feelings and perceptions of themselves as parents

Outside evaluator

No comparison group

10 standardized scales

Intake, 1-year exit, and 6-month follow-up

Statistical analysis of data

Identify the negative effects of prior neglect and provide resources tailored to children's needs

Prevent subsequent neglect

Decrease grandparents' social isolation

Maximize quality of life for grandparent caregivers

Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach, 1991)

Teacher's Report Form (Achenbach, 1991)

Child Well-being Scale (Magura & Moses, 1987)

Denver II (Frankenburg, Dodds, Archer, Bresnick, Maschka, et al., 1992)

Grandparent Interview (developed for this program)

Child Neglect Index (Trocmé, 1996)

Home Observation of the Environment (Caldwell & Bradley, 1984)

Family Resource Scale (Dunst & Leet, 1987)

Family Empowerment Scale (Koren, DeChillo, & Friesen, 1992)

Family Support Scale (Dunst, Jenkins, & Trivette, 1984)

Health Risk Appraisal (Hutchins, 1991)

SF-36 (Ware,1992)

Brief Symptom Inventory (Derogatis, 1993)

Decreased child behavior problems

Reduced risk for child neglect

Improved caregiver health

Caregiver empowerment

Increase in caregiver social support

Decrease in caregiver stress

In-house evaluator

No comparison group

Five standardized scales

At enrollment and at graduation

No statistical analysis of data reported

Empower parents to create nurturing homes for their children

Improve participants' self-esteem and trust in their parenting skills

Reduce neglect and abuse

Increase maternal social support

Decrease child abuse potential

Increase knowledge of infant development

Improve home environment safety

Child Abuse Potential Inventory (Milner, 1994)

Knowledge Inventory of Child Development and Behavior (Fulton, 1995)

Maternal Social Support Index (Pascoe, Ialongo, Horn, Reinhart, & Perradatto, 1988)

Personal Goal Achievement Measure (developed for program)

Child Well-Being Check List (CWBCL)

Slight increase in child well-being scores

Slight increase in knowledge of infant development

Slight downward trend in child abuse potential

Significant percentage of family-identified goals partially achieved or achieved