Building Healthy Children: Outcome Evaluation

The Society for the Protection and Care of Children in collaboration with Mt. Hope Family Center, the University of Rochester Medical Center Social Work and Pediatrics Departments, the Monroe County Departments of Human Services and Public Health and the United Way are conducting an integrated approach to evidence-based home visitation targeting low-income teen and young adult parents. “Building Healthy Children” is developing the infrastructure to coordinate existing home visitation programs and develop a comprehensive approach to effective service delivery for young families. Several evidence-based models are woven into a seamless network to address identified risks for child maltreatment. Through this approach, pregnant teens are encouraged to enroll in early prenatal care and participate in Nurse Family Partnership (NFP). Based on the need identified nationwide by experienced NFP nurses, NFP services will be integrated into a network of additional supports addressing depression, severe parent-child difficulties and acute counseling needs. For families who do not meet the stringent eligibility criteria for NFP because of late prenatal enrollment or having another child, Parents as Teachers home visitation combined with intensive social work services is provided, along with Interpersonal Psychotherapy for treatment of depression and Child-Parent Psychotherapy when insecure attachment relationships are identified.

The program builds on experience from a pilot project with a single pediatric practice and plans for service delivery throughout the county. Significant program evaluation will be conducted focusing on three primary areas: home contextual variables, maternal functioning and parenting, and child functioning across developmental stages. The evaluation measures were chosen to aid in the accurate assessment of family strengths and needs, in development of treatment plans, in assessment of the effectiveness of the intervention, and to minimize the burden to families. The results will facilitate systemic change in service delivery toward evidence-based models that are most effective for high-risk young families.

Investigators
Sheree L. Toth, Jody Todd Manly

Special Thanks To Our Funder
Administration on Children, Youth and Families