Project

National Cross-Site Evaluation of the Replication of Demonstrated Effective Prevention Programs

about the project

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Client

University of Maryland School of Social Work

Family Connections was an early intervention, psychosocial, community-based child neglect prevention program for families having significant difficulty meeting the needs of their children.

It was designated a “demonstrated effective” program after a prior evaluation found that it increased protective factors and reduced risk factors for child neglect. The national cross-site evaluation tested the replication of the Family Connections model and investigated whether it could be implemented effectively with different populations and in different settings. Multiple quantitative and qualitative measurements were used to construct site-specific fidelity ratings. The cost evaluation examined aggregate data on program expenditures and analyzed case-level costs.

JBA evaluated eight projects replicating the model, including implementation, outcomes, and cost components, to—

  • Determine the extent to which grantees were able to replicate the Family Connections model with fidelity
  • Examine adaptations grantees made to the model to meet the needs of their target populations
  • Determine the effect of grantee projects on reducing risk factors (parenting stress, depression, and children’s problem behaviors) and increasing protective factors (social support, parenting attitudes, and family functioning) for child maltreatment that were found in the demonstration trial
  • Determine the effect of grantee projects on preventing child maltreatment
  • Evaluate the costs associated with implementing Family Connections

Staff

  • Jill Filene Jill Filene, M.P.H. Executive Vice President of Research and Evaluation

    Jill Filene has more than 25 years of experience in applied research, program evaluation, and technical assistance. Her areas of expertise include home...

  • James Bell, M.A. Founder and President

    James Bell has more than 40 years of experience designing and directing national program evaluations. He started JBA in 1979 to help programs better serve...

  • James DeSantis James P. DeSantis, Ph.D. Vice President

    James P. DeSantis is a developmental psychologist with more than 30 years of experience in research, program design, evaluation, technical assistance, and project...

Partners

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect

Resources

about the project

Topics

Capabilities

Status

Client

University of Maryland School of Social Work