The current state of family meeting practice within and across child welfare jurisdictions in the... more The current state of family meeting practice within and across child welfare jurisdictions in the United States is widespread and varies greatly, presenting challenges for rigorous research and evaluation. Three illustrative jurisdiction-level case studies are provided, which demonstrate not only commonalities and differences in practice across agencies but the underlying reasons for this variation. The associated challenges for evaluation of this practice are also discussed.
We examine the determinants of patients' accounts of their own mental illness. In particular, we ... more We examine the determinants of patients' accounts of their own mental illness. In particular, we examine the factors that affect the likelihood of attributing one's own mental illness to controllable factors rather than non-controllable factors. Our quantitative measure of attributional control is derived from the coding of in-depth interviews with people with severe mental illness seeking treatment for the first time (N ¼ 144). We find that those who occupy positions of social disadvantage (particularly African-American males and those who receive public assistance) are less likely to attribute their illness to controllable sources, suggesting that personal mental illness attributions are systematically related to a person's social location. We outline the significance of these findings for research on the psychological consequences of mental illness attributions. r
Many extant studies on the use of non-parental child care are based on data from the youngest chi... more Many extant studies on the use of non-parental child care are based on data from the youngest child in the household. To date, it has not been addressed whether this approach introduces bias. We present reasons why child care arrangements for youngest children may differ from those of same-age older children and examine whether the use of child care, type of arrangement, and use of care in combination with mother's employment differ for youngest versus middle/oldest toddlers and preschoolers with data from the 1999 National Household Education Survey. We find that youngest preschoolers are more likely to attend child care on a regular basis than middle/oldest preschoolers. Further, youngest toddlers and preschoolers are more likely than middle/oldest toddlers and preschoolers to have an employed mother. How families combine the use of child care and maternal employment differs by birth order. Controlling for other child and household characteristics does not explain these differences. Differences in the types of care arrangements used for youngest versus middle/oldest toddlers and preschoolers in non-parental care do not reach statistical significance.
This study evaluates four group sessions of the Incredible Years (IY) Parenting Training Program ... more This study evaluates four group sessions of the Incredible Years (IY) Parenting Training Program used for the first-time in two child welfare agencies in New York State. Few studies have examined process and evaluation outcomes of evidence-based parenting programs in child welfare. Qualitative staff interviews and surveys on parenting behaviors were used to examine program processes, improvements in parenting behaviors,
This article uses statewide data on caregivers of young children referred to the Nurturing Parent... more This article uses statewide data on caregivers of young children referred to the Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP) for allegations of abuse and neglect to examine the relationship between program dosage and subsequent maltreatment. At six months after participating in the program, caregivers who attended more sessions were significantly less likely to be reported for child maltreatment, holding other factors constant. At two years after participating, caregivers attending more sessions were significantly less likely to have a substantiated maltreatment incidence, controlling for other characteristics of families associated with maltreatment. These findings demonstrate the program is associated with preventing short-term allegations and longer-term substantiated incidences of maltreatment for a child welfare population. By demonstrating the importance of participation in the NPP, we increase the evidence about effective parent education programs for this population.
This case study highlights the challenges and solutions for implementing an evidence-based progra... more This case study highlights the challenges and solutions for implementing an evidence-based program and associated evaluation in child welfare. The program is designed to support the mental health needs of youth in foster care in school settings. The intervention is unique, not only in the application of an evidence-based program to child welfare, which many scholars and practitioners point out is all too rare, but also because the intervention requires multiple system integration. In detailing the process, we hope to contribute to a growing body of literature documenting the integration of science and practice through the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based programs.
Chapter 1: Literature Review........................................................................ more Chapter 1: Literature Review................................................................................................................... ................................19 Scope of the Problem........................................... ... ... Chapter 2: Background and Overview..............................................................................................................................25 ...
... Parent Education Program in Louisiana's Child Welfare Agency: The Nurturing Parentin... more ... Parent Education Program in Louisiana's Child Welfare Agency: The Nurturing Parenting Program for Infants, Toddlers, and Pre-School Children Final Evaluation Report Prepared by Rhenda H. Hodnett Karen Faulk Amy Dellinger Erin Maher August 2009 Page 2. Page 3. 3 ...
Center for the Child Care Workforce, 733 15th Street, NW, Suite 1037, Washington, DC 20005-2112. ... more Center for the Child Care Workforce, 733 15th Street, NW, Suite 1037, Washington, DC 20005-2112. Tel: 202-737-7700; Fax: 202-737-0370; e-mail: ccw@ccw.org. For full text: http://www.ccw.org/pubs/workforceestimatereport.pdf. ... Center for the Child Care ...
This article examines the importance of context in evaluative inquiry. Following guidelines from ... more This article examines the importance of context in evaluative inquiry. Following guidelines from real-world and utilization-focused evaluation frameworks, four projects are described to illustrate one foundation's pragmatic approach to evaluation that values collaboration, methodological appropriateness, and utilization. The authors contend that such an approach helps to ensure meaningful and actionable results in child welfare because it is responsive to local agency information and capacity needs while simultaneously contributing to the knowledge base of the field.
The current state of family meeting practice within and across child welfare jurisdictions in the... more The current state of family meeting practice within and across child welfare jurisdictions in the United States is widespread and varies greatly, presenting challenges for rigorous research and evaluation. Three illustrative jurisdiction-level case studies are provided, which demonstrate not only commonalities and differences in practice across agencies but the underlying reasons for this variation. The associated challenges for evaluation of this practice are also discussed.
We examine the determinants of patients' accounts of their own mental illness. In particular, we ... more We examine the determinants of patients' accounts of their own mental illness. In particular, we examine the factors that affect the likelihood of attributing one's own mental illness to controllable factors rather than non-controllable factors. Our quantitative measure of attributional control is derived from the coding of in-depth interviews with people with severe mental illness seeking treatment for the first time (N ¼ 144). We find that those who occupy positions of social disadvantage (particularly African-American males and those who receive public assistance) are less likely to attribute their illness to controllable sources, suggesting that personal mental illness attributions are systematically related to a person's social location. We outline the significance of these findings for research on the psychological consequences of mental illness attributions. r
Many extant studies on the use of non-parental child care are based on data from the youngest chi... more Many extant studies on the use of non-parental child care are based on data from the youngest child in the household. To date, it has not been addressed whether this approach introduces bias. We present reasons why child care arrangements for youngest children may differ from those of same-age older children and examine whether the use of child care, type of arrangement, and use of care in combination with mother's employment differ for youngest versus middle/oldest toddlers and preschoolers with data from the 1999 National Household Education Survey. We find that youngest preschoolers are more likely to attend child care on a regular basis than middle/oldest preschoolers. Further, youngest toddlers and preschoolers are more likely than middle/oldest toddlers and preschoolers to have an employed mother. How families combine the use of child care and maternal employment differs by birth order. Controlling for other child and household characteristics does not explain these differences. Differences in the types of care arrangements used for youngest versus middle/oldest toddlers and preschoolers in non-parental care do not reach statistical significance.
This study evaluates four group sessions of the Incredible Years (IY) Parenting Training Program ... more This study evaluates four group sessions of the Incredible Years (IY) Parenting Training Program used for the first-time in two child welfare agencies in New York State. Few studies have examined process and evaluation outcomes of evidence-based parenting programs in child welfare. Qualitative staff interviews and surveys on parenting behaviors were used to examine program processes, improvements in parenting behaviors,
This article uses statewide data on caregivers of young children referred to the Nurturing Parent... more This article uses statewide data on caregivers of young children referred to the Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP) for allegations of abuse and neglect to examine the relationship between program dosage and subsequent maltreatment. At six months after participating in the program, caregivers who attended more sessions were significantly less likely to be reported for child maltreatment, holding other factors constant. At two years after participating, caregivers attending more sessions were significantly less likely to have a substantiated maltreatment incidence, controlling for other characteristics of families associated with maltreatment. These findings demonstrate the program is associated with preventing short-term allegations and longer-term substantiated incidences of maltreatment for a child welfare population. By demonstrating the importance of participation in the NPP, we increase the evidence about effective parent education programs for this population.
This case study highlights the challenges and solutions for implementing an evidence-based progra... more This case study highlights the challenges and solutions for implementing an evidence-based program and associated evaluation in child welfare. The program is designed to support the mental health needs of youth in foster care in school settings. The intervention is unique, not only in the application of an evidence-based program to child welfare, which many scholars and practitioners point out is all too rare, but also because the intervention requires multiple system integration. In detailing the process, we hope to contribute to a growing body of literature documenting the integration of science and practice through the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based programs.
Chapter 1: Literature Review........................................................................ more Chapter 1: Literature Review................................................................................................................... ................................19 Scope of the Problem........................................... ... ... Chapter 2: Background and Overview..............................................................................................................................25 ...
... Parent Education Program in Louisiana's Child Welfare Agency: The Nurturing Parentin... more ... Parent Education Program in Louisiana's Child Welfare Agency: The Nurturing Parenting Program for Infants, Toddlers, and Pre-School Children Final Evaluation Report Prepared by Rhenda H. Hodnett Karen Faulk Amy Dellinger Erin Maher August 2009 Page 2. Page 3. 3 ...
Center for the Child Care Workforce, 733 15th Street, NW, Suite 1037, Washington, DC 20005-2112. ... more Center for the Child Care Workforce, 733 15th Street, NW, Suite 1037, Washington, DC 20005-2112. Tel: 202-737-7700; Fax: 202-737-0370; e-mail: ccw@ccw.org. For full text: http://www.ccw.org/pubs/workforceestimatereport.pdf. ... Center for the Child Care ...
This article examines the importance of context in evaluative inquiry. Following guidelines from ... more This article examines the importance of context in evaluative inquiry. Following guidelines from real-world and utilization-focused evaluation frameworks, four projects are described to illustrate one foundation's pragmatic approach to evaluation that values collaboration, methodological appropriateness, and utilization. The authors contend that such an approach helps to ensure meaningful and actionable results in child welfare because it is responsive to local agency information and capacity needs while simultaneously contributing to the knowledge base of the field.
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