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Initial Implementation Indicators From a Statewide Rollout of SafeCare Within a Child Welfare System

NCJ Number
239271
Journal
Child Maltreatment Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2012 Pages: 96-101
Author(s)
Daniel J. Whitaker; Kerry A. Ryan; Robert C. Wild; Shannon Self-Brown; John R. Lutzker; Jenelle R. Shanley; Anna M. Edwards; Erin A. McFry; Colby N. Moseley; Amanda E. Hodges
Date Published
February 2012
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article examines the SafeCare parenting model a parent-training model that addresses child neglect, the most common form of maltreatment.
Abstract
There is a strong movement toward implementation of evidence-based practices (EBP) in child welfare systems. The SafeCare parenting model is one of few parent-training models that addresses child neglect, the most common form of maltreatment. Here, the authors describe initial findings from a statewide effort to implement the EBP, SafeCare, into a State child welfare system. A total of 50 agencies participated in training, with 295 individuals entering training to implement SafeCare. Analyses were conducted to describe the trainee sample, describe initial training and implementation indicators, and to examine correlates of initial training performance and implementation indicators. The quality of SafeCare uptake during training and implementation was high with trainees performing very well on training quizzes and role-plays, and demonstrating high fidelity when implementing SafeCare in the field (performing over 90 percent of expected behaviors). However, the quantity of implementation was generally low, with relatively few providers (only about 25 percent) implementing the model following workshop training. There were no significant predictors of training or implementation performance, once corrections for multiple comparisons were applied. The discussion focuses on challenges to large-scale system-wide implementation of EBP. (Published Abstract)