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Interventions for Neglect

Scientific Ratings in this Topic
  • 1 Well-Supported by Research Evidence
  • 2 Supported by Research Evidence
  • 3 Promising Research Evidence
  • 4 Evidence Fails to Demonstrate Effect
  • 5 Concerning Practice
  • NR Not able to be Rated

Topic Areas

Topic Areas

Definition

Interventions for Neglect are defined by the CEBC as programs that address a parent's failure to provide for a child's basic needs. Neglect may be physical (e.g., failure to provide necessary food or shelter, or lack of appropriate supervision); medical (e.g., failure to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment); educational (e.g., failure to educate a child or attend to special education needs); and/or emotional (e.g., inattention to a child's emotional needs, failure to provide psychological care, or permitting the child to use alcohol or other drugs).

These situations do not always mean a child is neglected. Sometimes cultural values, the standards of care in the community, and poverty may be contributing factors, indicating the family is in need of information or assistance. When a family fails to use information and resources, and the child's health or safety is at risk, then child welfare intervention may be required. The following link gives more information on this topic area as it is defined by the U.S. government: https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/definitions-child-abuse-and-neglect/

  • Target population: Families with children whose basic needs are not being met
  • Services/types that fit: Typically outpatient services, with individual, group, or family formats; services may be delivered in the home. Services may include assessment, case planning, case management, education, and/or skill building
  • Delivered by: Child welfare staff, mental health professionals, or trained paraprofessionals
  • In order to be included: Program must specifically target child neglect as a goal
  • In order to be rated: There must be research evidence (as specified by the Scientific Rating Scale) that examines neglect-related outcomes, such as reductions in out-of-home placement or recurrence of neglect or maltreatment, or outcomes for children and/or parents, such changes in behavior, symptom levels, and/or functioning.

Definition

Interventions for Neglect are defined by the CEBC as programs that address a parent's failure to provide for a child's basic needs. Neglect may be physical (e.g., failure to provide necessary food or shelter, or lack of appropriate supervision); medical (e.g., failure to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment); educational (e.g., failure to educate a child or attend to special education needs); and/or emotional (e.g., inattention to a child's emotional needs, failure to provide psychological care, or permitting the child to use alcohol or other drugs).

These situations do not always mean a child is neglected. Sometimes cultural values, the standards of care in the community, and poverty may be contributing factors, indicating the family is in need of information or assistance. When a family fails to use information and resources, and the child's health or safety is at risk, then child welfare intervention may be required. The following link gives more information on this topic area as it is defined by the U.S. government: https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/definitions-child-abuse-and-neglect/

  • Target population: Families with children whose basic needs are not being met
  • Services/types that fit: Typically outpatient services, with individual, group, or family formats; services may be delivered in the home. Services may include assessment, case planning, case management, education, and/or skill building
  • Delivered by: Child welfare staff, mental health professionals, or trained paraprofessionals
  • In order to be included: Program must specifically target child neglect as a goal
  • In order to be rated: There must be research evidence (as specified by the Scientific Rating Scale) that examines neglect-related outcomes, such as reductions in out-of-home placement or recurrence of neglect or maltreatment, or outcomes for children and/or parents, such changes in behavior, symptom levels, and/or functioning.

Why was this topic chosen by the Advisory Committee?

The Interventions for Neglect topic area is relevant to child welfare because, while child neglect is the most common type of child maltreatment, it frequently goes unreported and, historically, has not been acknowledged or publicized as greatly as child abuse. In addition, the effects of neglect can be just as detrimental, and as it relates to children's early brain development, even more detrimental than physical or sexual abuse. Child welfare professionals need help identifying new and effective ways to target and serve at-risk families so that they can minimize the risk that could lead to child neglect; equip families with the skills and resources they need to ensure that children's basic needs are met; and decrease the effects of neglect on the developing child.

Information on successful interventions, and how these interventions can be replicated in other jurisdictions, will provide important new tools for combating the serious problem of child neglect in this country.

Pamela Day
Former CEBC Advisory Committee Member

Why was this topic chosen by the Advisory Committee?

The Interventions for Neglect topic area is relevant to child welfare because, while child neglect is the most common type of child maltreatment, it frequently goes unreported and, historically, has not been acknowledged or publicized as greatly as child abuse. In addition, the effects of neglect can be just as detrimental, and as it relates to children's early brain development, even more detrimental than physical or sexual abuse. Child welfare professionals need help identifying new and effective ways to target and serve at-risk families so that they can minimize the risk that could lead to child neglect; equip families with the skills and resources they need to ensure that children's basic needs are met; and decrease the effects of neglect on the developing child.

Information on successful interventions, and how these interventions can be replicated in other jurisdictions, will provide important new tools for combating the serious problem of child neglect in this country.

Pamela Day
Former CEBC Advisory Committee Member

Topic Expert

The Interventions for Neglect topic area was added in 2008. Mark Chaffin, PhD was the topic expert and was involved in identifying and rating any of the programs with an original load date in 2008 (as found on the bottom of the program's page on the CEBC) or others loaded earlier and added to this topic area when it launched. The topic area has grown over the years and any programs added since 2008 were identified by CEBC staff, the Scientific Panel, and/or the Advisory Committee. For these programs, Dr. Chaffin was not involved in identifying or rating them.

Topic Expert

The Interventions for Neglect topic area was added in 2008. Mark Chaffin, PhD was the topic expert and was involved in identifying and rating any of the programs with an original load date in 2008 (as found on the bottom of the program's page on the CEBC) or others loaded earlier and added to this topic area when it launched. The topic area has grown over the years and any programs added since 2008 were identified by CEBC staff, the Scientific Panel, and/or the Advisory Committee. For these programs, Dr. Chaffin was not involved in identifying or rating them.

Programs

Homebuilders®

Homebuilders® is a home- and community-based intensive family preservation services treatment program designed to avoid unnecessary placement of children and youth into foster care, group care, psychiatric hospitals, or juvenile justice facilities. The program model engages families by delivering services in their natural environment, at times when they are most receptive to learning, and by enlisting them as partners in assessment, goal setting, and treatment planning. Reunification cases often require case activities related to reintegrating the child into the home and community. Examples include helping the parent find childcare, enrolling the child in school, refurbishing the child’s bedroom, and helping the child connect with clubs, sports or other community groups. Child neglect referrals often require case activities related to improving the physical condition of the home, improving supervision of children, decreasing parental depression and/or alcohol and substance abuse, and helping families access needed community supports.

Scientific Rating 2

SafeCare®

SafeCare® is an in-home parent training program that targets risk factors for child neglect and physical abuse in which parents are taught skills in three module areas: (1) how to interact in a positive manner with their children, to plan activities, and respond appropriately to challenging child behaviors, (2) to recognize hazards in the home in order to improve the home environment, and (3) to recognize and respond to symptoms of illness and injury, in addition to keeping good health records. All three modules should be used in the implementation of SafeCare®; any modifications to or elimination of modules need to be discussed with the program developers.

Scientific Rating 2

Family Connections

FC is a multifaceted, home-based service program that works with families in their homes and in the context of their neighborhoods to help them meet the basic needs of their children and prevent child maltreatment. Nine practice principles guide FC interventions: ecological developmental framework; community outreach; individualized family assessment and tailored interventions; helping alliance; empowerment principles; strengths-based practice; cultural competence; outcome-driven service plans with SMART goals; and a focus on the competence of the practitioner. Individualized family intervention is geared to increase protective factors, decrease risk factors, and target child safety, well-being, and permanency outcomes.

Scientific Rating 3

Signs of Safety

The Signs of Safety approach is a relationship-grounded, safety-organized child protection framework designed to help families build real safety for children by allowing those families to demonstrate their strengths as protection over time. This strengths-based and safety-organized approach to child protection work requires partnership and collaboration with the child and family. It expands the investigation of risk to encompass strengths and signs of safety that can be built upon to stabilize and strengthen the child's and family's situation. Central to this approach is meaningful family engagement and, in particular, capturing the voice of the child. A format for undertaking comprehensive risk assessment - assessing for both danger and strengths/safety – is incorporated within the one-page Signs of Safety Assessment Protocol (this form is the only formal protocol used in the model). The approach is designed to be used from commencement through to case closure and to assist professionals at all stages of the child protection process.

Scientific Rating NR

Programs

Homebuilders®

Homebuilders® is a home- and community-based intensive family preservation services treatment program designed to avoid unnecessary placement of children and youth into foster care, group care, psychiatric hospitals, or juvenile justice facilities. The program model engages families by delivering services in their natural environment, at times when they are most receptive to learning, and by enlisting them as partners in assessment, goal setting, and treatment planning. Reunification cases often require case activities related to reintegrating the child into the home and community. Examples include helping the parent find childcare, enrolling the child in school, refurbishing the child’s bedroom, and helping the child connect with clubs, sports or other community groups. Child neglect referrals often require case activities related to improving the physical condition of the home, improving supervision of children, decreasing parental depression and/or alcohol and substance abuse, and helping families access needed community supports.

Scientific Rating 2

SafeCare®

SafeCare® is an in-home parent training program that targets risk factors for child neglect and physical abuse in which parents are taught skills in three module areas: (1) how to interact in a positive manner with their children, to plan activities, and respond appropriately to challenging child behaviors, (2) to recognize hazards in the home in order to improve the home environment, and (3) to recognize and respond to symptoms of illness and injury, in addition to keeping good health records. All three modules should be used in the implementation of SafeCare®; any modifications to or elimination of modules need to be discussed with the program developers.

Scientific Rating 2

Family Connections

FC is a multifaceted, home-based service program that works with families in their homes and in the context of their neighborhoods to help them meet the basic needs of their children and prevent child maltreatment. Nine practice principles guide FC interventions: ecological developmental framework; community outreach; individualized family assessment and tailored interventions; helping alliance; empowerment principles; strengths-based practice; cultural competence; outcome-driven service plans with SMART goals; and a focus on the competence of the practitioner. Individualized family intervention is geared to increase protective factors, decrease risk factors, and target child safety, well-being, and permanency outcomes.

Scientific Rating 3

Signs of Safety

The Signs of Safety approach is a relationship-grounded, safety-organized child protection framework designed to help families build real safety for children by allowing those families to demonstrate their strengths as protection over time. This strengths-based and safety-organized approach to child protection work requires partnership and collaboration with the child and family. It expands the investigation of risk to encompass strengths and signs of safety that can be built upon to stabilize and strengthen the child's and family's situation. Central to this approach is meaningful family engagement and, in particular, capturing the voice of the child. A format for undertaking comprehensive risk assessment - assessing for both danger and strengths/safety – is incorporated within the one-page Signs of Safety Assessment Protocol (this form is the only formal protocol used in the model). The approach is designed to be used from commencement through to case closure and to assist professionals at all stages of the child protection process.

Scientific Rating NR