Developing Multi-Component Evidence Based Practice in Child Abuse Service Systems

Child maltreatment is the general term used to characterize all forms of child abuse, including neglect and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. These forms of maltreatment can lead to a large number of child developmental, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. As adults, children who are maltreated are more prone to unhealthy behaviors and conditions, such as drug and alcohol abuse, smoking, eating disorders, and depression. A previous study found that Project SafeCare, a treatment program that provides parent training to families with children who were at risk for or victims of maltreatment, resulted in fewer child welfare reports. Participants in Project SafeCare reported improvements in child healthcare, home safety, and parent-child relations. However, the study suggested that the SafeCare program may not be equally effective in decreasing the occurrence of all forms of child maltreatment, particularly child physical abuse. This study will determine the effectiveness of a complex evidence-based practice program, extending upon the SafeCare program, in reducing the occurrence of physical abuse and other forms of child maltreatment.

Participants in this study will receive services from Oklahoma Comprehensive Home-Based Services (CHBS), a program provided to families with issues of child abuse and neglect. Upon entry into the CHBS program, participants will undergo a computerized interview, lasting between 1 and 2 hours. The interview will include questions about family strengths and weaknesses, personal beliefs, substance abuse history, and opinion on CHBS. This computerized interview will be repeated at the end of treatment, approximately 6 to 12 months later. During the first few weeks of CHBS, an agent will make five visits to the homes of participants to observe pretreatment family life. Treatment services will concentrate on improving healthcare skills, parent-child interactions, and safety in homes and will specifically address ways to reduce physical abuse and other identified family issues. Study participation will continue for 12 months after completion of CHBS. Study researchers will obtain child welfare reports from the Department of Human Services (DHS) for up to 10 years after completion of CHBS.