The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Parent Support Outreach Program (PSOP) program has been reviewed by the CEBC in the area of: Family Stabilization, but lacks the necessary research evidence to be given a Scientific Rating.

• Types of Maltreatment: Does not target any specific kind of maltreatment
• Target Population: Families at risk of child maltreatment as identified by screened out child maltreatment reports, community referrals, or self-referral. Families that are referred by the community or through self-referrals must have at least two risk factors including, but not limited to, poverty, past maltreatment history, domestic violence, chemical dependency, and emotional or behavioral health problems.

PSOP is a voluntary early intervention family support program serving families with young children (under age 10) who are at risk of child maltreatment. Referrals are identified through screened out child maltreatment reports or through community or self-referral based on risk exposure. Services are largely consumer driven with a significant focus on addressing the provision of basic needs. Families are asked to participate in a strengths and needs assessment that is used to help the family and agency determine an appropriate service plan. Services are delivered through county-based child welfare programs or through a contract for service with a community-based provider.

The primary goal of the Parent Support Outreach Program is a reduced risk of child maltreatment. This is attained by addressing unmet family needs and employing family strengths. Overall family well-being improvement is also sought and measured by the strengths and needs assessment.

The following are essential components of the Parent Support Outreach Program:

• Voluntary family support program
• Consumer driven
• Focus on meeting needs and reducing child maltreatment risks
• Focus on families with children age 10 or under

Parent Support Outreach Program (PSOP) was not designed with a child component.

Parent Support Outreach Program (PSOP) was designed with a parent/caregiver component that addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms:

• Parent of child 10 and under who is at risk of child maltreatment.

Treatment Involves Family/Support Structures:

This program involves the family or other support systems in the individual's treatment: Services are consumer driven.

Parent Support Outreach Program (PSOP) was not designed to be conducted in a group setting, and has not been tested for use in a group setting.

Recommended Intensity:

Depends on family’s goals and service requests. Contact is usually focused on obtaining whatever resources or services desired and not on treating the family.

Recommended Duration:

No specific time limit, but services are usually very specific and time limited (90-180 days average).

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Birth Family Home

This program does not include a homework component.

Parent Support Outreach Program (PSOP) has materials available in languages other than English:

Hmong, Spanish, Vietnamese

For information on which materials are available in these languages, please check on the program's website or contact the program representative (contact information is listed at the bottom of this page).

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

Service provider must be knowledgeable about a wide range of available community resources. Providers must be able to make home visits and be accessible by telephone.

No academic requirement, but providers are most often child welfare professionals with human services degrees and knowledge of community resources.

There is not a manual that describes how to implement this program; but there is training available for this program.

Training Contact:

• David Thompson
  david.thompson@state.mn.us
  phone: (651) 431-4701

Training is obtained:

Information consultation provided via phone or email

Number of days/hours:

Information consultation – no set timeframe

This program has been reviewed and it was determined that this program lacks the type of published, peer-reviewed research that meets the CEBC criteria for a scientific rating of 1 – 5. Therefore, the program has been given the classification of "NR - Not able to be Rated." It was reviewed because it was identified by the topic expert as a program being used in the field, or it is being marketed and/or used in California with children receiving services from child welfare or related systems and their parents/caregivers. Some programs that are not rated may have published, peer-reviewed research that does not meet the above stated criteria or may have eligible studies that have not yet been published in the peer-reviewed literature. For more information on the "NR - Not able to be Rated" classification, please see the Scientific Rating Scale.

Child Welfare Outcomes: Not Specified

Currently, there are no published, peer-reviewed research studies for Parent Support Outreach Program (PSOP).