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Topic: Home Visiting Programs for Prevention of Child Abuse and 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

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Definition for Home Visiting Programs for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect:

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

Programs in this Topic Area

The programs listed below have been reviewed by the CEBC and, if appropriate, been rated using the Scientific Rating Scale.

One Program with a Scientific Rating of 1 - Well-Supported by Research Evidence:

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One Program with a Scientific Rating of 2 - Supported by Research Evidence:

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  • SafeCare®
    [Project SafeCare]
    Parents at-risk for child neglect and/or abuse and parents with a history of child neglect and/or abuse

Two Programs with a Scientific Rating of 3 - Promising Research Evidence:

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  • Circle of Security-Home Visiting-4 (COS-HV4)
    Families with children younger than 6 years old in high-risk populations such as child enrolled in Early Head Start, teen moms, ...
  • Exchange Parent Aide
    Families must have at least one child age birth through 12 years in the home (services may also be offered prenatally), ...

One Program with a Scientific Rating of 4 - Evidence Fails to Demonstrate Effect:

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  • Healthy Families America (HFA)
    Families who are at-risk for child abuse and neglect and other adverse childhood experiences; home visiting services are initiated prenatally ...

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

Neil Guterman, PhD, Dean & Mose and Sylvia Firestone Professor
School of Social Service Administration
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL