Use the following resources to learn more about child abuse prevention programs and strategies supported by scientific research. These resources can help programs choose and implement evidence-based practices that will suit the needs of the families and communities they serve. Resources include State and local examples.
The practices included below have been identified by their developers or an outside group as "evidence-based." Child Welfare Information Gateway and the Children's Bureau do not endorse individual practices or programs or make any claims about the effectiveness of the approaches described. This information is provided as a resource.
Better Evidence for Decision Makers (PDF - 6,880 KB)
Center for the Study of Social Policy (2016)
Examines flaws with current systems providing access for decision makers, provides information about evidence-based programs, and proposes collaborative and fluid models where programs can adapt to new information and changing circumstances.
Evidence and Innovation
Findyouthinfo
Provides interactive tools and other resources to help youth-serving organizations and community partnerships plan, implement, locate, and participate in effective programs for youth. The website includes information on positive youth development, mentoring, transitioning youth, evidence-based programs, and more.
Evidence-Based Model Crosswalk to Benchmarks: Model Alignment With Benchmark (PDF - 641 KB)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services & Health Resources and Services Administration (2011)
Describes the Affordable Care Act Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV), and how the act responds, through evidence-based home visiting programs, to diverse needs of children and families in at-risk communities through collaboration at the Federal, State, and community levels. This technical assistance resource tool explains how each evidence-based model aligns across MIECHV program benchmarks.
Family Connections: National Program Replication Project
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Describes a community-based neglect prevention program targeting at-risk families with children between the ages of 5 and 11. Family Connections was the only program in the nation designated as "demonstrated effective" in the prevention of child abuse and neglect in the 2003 report, Emerging Practices in the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.
Family Search and Engagement (FSE) Program Manual
Washoe County Department of Social Services (2016)
Describes the implementation of the FSE program in Washoe County, including historical context. The manual discusses system readiness for program implementation and the six stages of operationalized intervention in order to assist field offices in implementing similar programs.
Guide for Child Welfare Administrators on Evidence-Based Practice (PDF - 4,157 KB)
Wilson & Walsh (2012)
American Public Human Services Association & National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators
Provides guidelines for a common language and framework with which to understand the conditions, challenges, and opportunities of evidence-based practice in child welfare.
How Organizations Implement and Sustain Evidence-Based Practices: Strategies, Tips, and Tools
Council of State Governments Justice Center & National Reentry Resource Center (2013)
Provides an overview of learning organizations and presents examples of organizations within the criminal justice community, as well as in other related fields, to illustrate specific evidence-based strategies and practices that improve outcomes.
Implementation Science: Effectively Implementing Sustainable Programs
FRIENDS National Center on Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (2015)
Introduces key elements in program implementation, sustainability, leadership, and organizational culture. This two-module online course also provides strategies for supervisors to consider during the implementation phase, in addition to stages individuals may experience during changes in the work environment. This self-paced course, available through the Learning Center, is free, but requires users to create a login.
Integrating Evidence-Based Practices Into CBCAP Programs: A Tool for Critical Discussions
FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention
Guides State child abuse prevention programs through the process of integrating evidence-informed or evidence-based practices that are the best possible fit with their service population, mission, and resources.
Kansas Intensive Permanency Project (KIPP) Program Manual
University of Kansas School of Social Welfare & Kansas Department of Children and Families (2016)
Examines KIPP's implementation process by sharing reflections, lessons learned, and practical implementation experiences. This manual can assist others in replicating KIPP or implementing similar programs tailored to their local communities.
Key Implementation Considerations for Executing Evidence-Based Programs: Project Overview
Child Trends, United States Department of Health and Human Services, & Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (2013)
Discusses challenges encountered when selecting and replicating evidence-based programs (EBPs) and also identifies approaches for developing evidence-informed programs when EBPs are not available or applicable for a given population and introduces key themes that emerged from the forum on Emphasizing Evidence-Based Programs for Children and Youth.
Measuring Success: A Guide to Becoming an Evidence-Based Practice (PDF - 504 KB)
Fratello, Kapur, & Chasan (2013)
Vera Institute Center on Youth Justice & MacArthur Foundation
Describes the process that assesses whether a program qualifies as evidence based and explains how programs can prepare to be evaluated.
Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare
Describes programs reviewed and rated by the Clearinghouse for their effectiveness in preventing child abuse and neglect.
Replicating and Scaling Up Evidence-Based Home Visiting Programs: The Role of Implementation Research (PDF - 337 KB)
Paulsell (2012)
Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development
Discusses implementation research in the home visiting field, how research can be used to strengthen programs and improve targeted outcomes, and the conditions and supports necessary for effective implementation.
Safety Assessment Family Evaluation--Family Connections (SAFE-FC) Program Manual
Washoe County Department of Social Services (2016)
Provides detailed information about the implementation process of the Safety Assessment Family Evaluation—Family Connections program in Washoe County, including background information and lessons learned.
Strengthening Families Program (SFP) (PDF - 254 KB)
National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections (2014)
Provides a brief overview of the Strengthening Families Program, a family skills training program designed to increase resilience and reduce risk factors for behavioral, emotional, academic, and social problems in children. Detailed descriptions of the outcomes and research mentioned, the quality of research rating, full program information, and a list of studies reviewed are included.
A TARGETed© Approach to Working With Traumatized Youth and Families Program Manual
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (2016)
Details the implementation process of the Illinois Trauma Focus Model for Reducing Long-Term Foster Care project in order to assist others in adapting the process for local use. This manual discusses staff and client recruitment strategies as well as data-driven decision-making related to program implementation.
State and local examples
Building a System of Support for Evidence-Based Home Visiting Programs in Illinois: Findings from Year 3 of the Strong Foundations Evaluation (PDF - 2,293 KB)
Spielberger, Gitlow, Winje, Harden, Banman, Dadisman, et al. (2013)
Explores the first 3 years of implementation providing findings and recommendations on the State-level structures and supports for evidence-based home-visitation services, as well as program implementation and quality.
Child Maltreatment Prevention: Toward an Evidence-Based Approach (PDF - 1,194 KB)
Slack, Jack, & Gjerston (Eds.) (2009)
Presents research on evidence-based practices, models, and programs that the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families will use to enhance child maltreatment prevention across the State.
Evidence-Based Treatments for Childhood Trauma (PDF - 1,516 KB)
Virginia Department of Social Services and Child Protective Services
Highlights different types of evidence-based treatments for children who have experienced trauma. The newsletter explores trauma-based treatments that serve children who are impacted by various traumatic experiences. Topics including symptoms of trauma, the incidence of trauma among children and adolescents, and the high levels of trauma in children involved in the child welfare system are discussed.
Harlem Children's Zone (PDF - 2,400 KB)
McCarthy & Jean-Louis (2015)
Center for the Study of Social Policy
Provides a case study that examines the Harlem Children's Zone through the lens of how the organization, and its community initiatives, use and generate evidence to achieve its goals.