National Cross-Site Evaluation of the Replication of Demonstrated Effective Prevention Programs

Family Connections was an early intervention, psychosocial, community-based child neglect prevention program for families having significant difficulty meeting the needs of their children.

It was designated a “demonstrated effective” program after a prior evaluation found that it increased protective factors and reduced risk factors for child neglect. The national cross-site evaluation tested the replication of the Family Connections model and investigated whether it could be implemented effectively with different populations and in different settings. Multiple quantitative and qualitative measurements were used to construct site-specific fidelity ratings. The cost evaluation examined aggregate data on program expenditures and analyzed case-level costs.

JBA evaluated eight projects replicating the model, including implementation, outcomes, and cost components, to—

• Determine the extent to which grantees were able to replicate the Family Connections model with fidelity
• Examine adaptations grantees made to the model to meet the needs of their target populations
• Determine the effect of grantee projects on reducing risk factors (parenting stress, depression, and children’s problem behaviors) and increasing protective factors (social support, parenting attitudes, and family functioning) for child maltreatment that were found in the demonstration trial
• Determine the effect of grantee projects on preventing child maltreatment
• Evaluate the costs associated with implementing Family Connections