About This Project

To promote child safety, permanency (stable placements) and well-being, child welfare agency directors and providers may decide to implement evidence-based parenting interventions (EBPIs) as part of routine client-centered service delivery. However, little is known about what it takes to "scale-up" EBPIs in child welfare organizations. This innovative study will prospectively examine the impact of innovative caseworker and parent engagement strategies to implement an EBPI.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Brief Introduction: As a former caseworker in Washington State and researcher in children’s services, I have focused on identifying and addressing barriers to effective care for youth who have been abused and neglected. My ultimate goal is to ensure that caseworkers are trained and supported to protect our most vulnerable children from harm and reduce the negative short- and long-term effects of exposure to traumatic and adverse experiences.

Issue of Concern: The next step is to ensure that agencies and caseworkers are able to deliver evidence-based practices to youth and parents in the foster care system. The current standard of practice, however, is to engage them in services that are not empirically supported. Thus, clients are often forced to engage in poor services.

What is the significance of this project?

To disrupt the use of ineffective practices, the City of Philadelphia relied upon Title IV-E funding to spend otherwise restrictive federal dollars more flexibly. With flexible spending, two child welfare agencies decided to implement the Positive Parenting Program (Triple-P), an evidence-based child abuse prevention program. However, what it takes to implement an evidence-based program in the child welfare system is largely unknown. This provides a unique opportunity to prospectively (1) examine what happens when system leaders and providers mobilize to prevent childhood trauma; and (2) address barriers to implementing Triple-P.

What are the goals of the project?

Funding is needed to prospectively illuminate barriers of delivering Triple-P. Caseworkers rely upon outdated case studies to teach parents how to effectively communicate with children. In collaboration with Nora McCarthy, editor of a magazine written by parents for parents in New York City, this study will develop case studies that are timely and relatable so as to increase parent engagement. Furthermore, funding is needed to recruit parents who complete Triple-P to develop testimonials via video or brochures to distribute to new parents. Hearing from parents themselves is likely to motivate parents to participate in the program. Finally, the study will evaluate whether the strategies indeed "engage" parents, and ultimately prevent abuse.