Nurse-Family Partnership
First time, low-income mothers (adolescents and adults, with no set maximum age) and their infants ages birth-2 years
Home Visiting Programs for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
Definition
Home Visiting Programs for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect are defined by the CEBC as any home visiting program with a goal of preventing abuse or neglect or intervening with families at high risk of abuse and neglect. Home visiting is a mechanism to provide direct support and coordination of services for families which involves direct services to the family in the home setting. While services can also be received elsewhere, the home is the primary service delivery setting. Programs vary, but components may include 1) education in effective parenting and childcare techniques; 2) education on child development, health, safety, and nutrition; 3) assistance in gaining access to social support networks; and 4) assistance in obtaining education, employment, and access to community services.
- Target population: Parents and their children; services can begin prior to birth while the mother is pregnant
- Services/types that fit: Home-based services with an individual or family focus that include assessment, case planning, case management, education, and/or skill building
- Delivered by: Child welfare staff, nurse, or trained paraprofessional
- In order to be included: Home visiting program must specifically target the prevention of child abuse and/or neglect as a goal
- In order to be rated: There must be research evidence (as specified by Scientific Rating Scale) that examines outcomes directly related to the prevention of child abuse and/or neglect, such as administrative data on child welfare reports or re-reports or self-report of abuse or neglect behaviors through a standardized measure
Downloadable Topic Area Summary
Definition
Home Visiting Programs for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect are defined by the CEBC as any home visiting program with a goal of preventing abuse or neglect or intervening with families at high risk of abuse and neglect. Home visiting is a mechanism to provide direct support and coordination of services for families which involves direct services to the family in the home setting. While services can also be received elsewhere, the home is the primary service delivery setting. Programs vary, but components may include 1) education in effective parenting and childcare techniques; 2) education on child development, health, safety, and nutrition; 3) assistance in gaining access to social support networks; and 4) assistance in obtaining education, employment, and access to community services.
- Target population: Parents and their children; services can begin prior to birth while the mother is pregnant
- Services/types that fit: Home-based services with an individual or family focus that include assessment, case planning, case management, education, and/or skill building
- Delivered by: Child welfare staff, nurse, or trained paraprofessional
- In order to be included: Home visiting program must specifically target the prevention of child abuse and/or neglect as a goal
- In order to be rated: There must be research evidence (as specified by Scientific Rating Scale) that examines outcomes directly related to the prevention of child abuse and/or neglect, such as administrative data on child welfare reports or re-reports or self-report of abuse or neglect behaviors through a standardized measure
Downloadable Topic Area Summary
Programs
Child First
Children prenatal to 5 years old and their parents/caregivers who are at risk of or have experienced child abuse, neglect, or trauma; have social-emotional, behavioral, or developmental problems; or live in families experiencing significant trauma and adversity.
Early Start
Parents of a newborn (usually up to 12 months of age) and/or parents in the antenatal period facing multiple disadvantages
SafeCare®
Parents at-risk for child neglect and/or abuse and parents with a history of child neglect and/or abuse
Building Healthy Children
Parents who had their first child prior to 21 years of age, and who are experiencing economic challenges (e.g., eligible to receive public assistance) and their children under the age of three years
Exchange Parent Aide
Families must have at least one child age birth through 17 years in the home (services may also be offered prenatally), be considered at-risk for abuse (either through presence of dynamics common in abusive families or the presence of substantiated abuse or neglect), and be willing to participate in services
Parents as Teachers
Parents/Caregivers who are expecting a child or have a child who has not begun Kindergarten
Relief Nursery
Families with limited income, raising children birth to age six with multiple stressors
Programs
Nurse-Family Partnership
First time, low-income mothers (adolescents and adults, with no set maximum age) and their infants ages birth-2 years
Child First
Children prenatal to 5 years old and their parents/caregivers who are at risk of or have experienced child abuse, neglect, or trauma; have social-emotional, behavioral, or developmental problems; or live in families experiencing significant trauma and adversity.
Early Start
Parents of a newborn (usually up to 12 months of age) and/or parents in the antenatal period facing multiple disadvantages
SafeCare®
Parents at-risk for child neglect and/or abuse and parents with a history of child neglect and/or abuse
Building Healthy Children
Parents who had their first child prior to 21 years of age, and who are experiencing economic challenges (e.g., eligible to receive public assistance) and their children under the age of three years
Exchange Parent Aide
Families must have at least one child age birth through 17 years in the home (services may also be offered prenatally), be considered at-risk for abuse (either through presence of dynamics common in abusive families or the presence of substantiated abuse or neglect), and be willing to participate in services
Parents as Teachers
Parents/Caregivers who are expecting a child or have a child who has not begun Kindergarten
Relief Nursery
Families with limited income, raising children birth to age six with multiple stressors
Why was this topic chosen by the Advisory Committee?
The Home Visiting Programs for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect topic area is relevant to child welfare because home visiting programs are commonly used by child welfare agencies as early intervention strategies to reach at-risk families with children from birth to age five. Many county child welfare agencies in California have developed home visiting programs in partnership with their public health agencies with support from their First Five Commissions. These programs provide targeted services and support, with the hopes that they will prevent child neglect and abuse.
Danna Fabella
Director, Federal Linkages
Child & Family Policy Institute of California
Sacramento, CA
Why was this topic chosen by the Advisory Committee?
The Home Visiting Programs for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect topic area is relevant to child welfare because home visiting programs are commonly used by child welfare agencies as early intervention strategies to reach at-risk families with children from birth to age five. Many county child welfare agencies in California have developed home visiting programs in partnership with their public health agencies with support from their First Five Commissions. These programs provide targeted services and support, with the hopes that they will prevent child neglect and abuse.
Danna Fabella
Director, Federal Linkages
Child & Family Policy Institute of California
Sacramento, CA
Topic Expert
Home Visiting Programs for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect was one of new topic areas launched in 2008. Neil Guterman, PhD, MSW was the topic expert and was involved in identifying and rating any of the programs with an original load date of 2008 or earlier (as found on the bottom of the program's page on the CEBC). The topic area has grown over the years and in 2011 and 2023, the topic area was revised and expanded. All of the Home Visiting Programs for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect added since 2008 were identified by CEBC staff, the Scientific Panel, and/or the Advisory Committee. For these programs, Dr. Guterman was not involved in identifying or rating them.
Topic Expert
Home Visiting Programs for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect was one of new topic areas launched in 2008. Neil Guterman, PhD, MSW was the topic expert and was involved in identifying and rating any of the programs with an original load date of 2008 or earlier (as found on the bottom of the program's page on the CEBC). The topic area has grown over the years and in 2011 and 2023, the topic area was revised and expanded. All of the Home Visiting Programs for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect added since 2008 were identified by CEBC staff, the Scientific Panel, and/or the Advisory Committee. For these programs, Dr. Guterman was not involved in identifying or rating them.