EVALUATING INNOVATIVE TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

• NCJ Number: 52237
• Journal: Children Today Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: (MAY/JUNE 1975) Pages: 10-12
• Author(s): A H COHN; S S RIDGE; F C COLLIGNON
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 3 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A 3-YEAR DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM IN THE FIELD OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT WAS JOINTLY INITIATED BY FEDERAL AGENCIES THAT INVOLVED THE EVALUATION OF 11 PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND IN PUERTO RICO.

Abstract

THE 11 PROJECTS WERE SELECTED AND FUNDED BY THE OFFICE OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT, THE SOCIAL AND REHABILITATION SERVICE, AND THE HEALTH RESOURCE ADMINISTRATION IN 1974. ALTHOUGH EACH PROJECT HAD TREATMENT, EDUCATION, AND COORDINATION COMPONENTS, THE EMPHASES VARIED. SEVERAL OF THE PROJECTS WERE DESIGNED TO BOLSTER PROTECTIVE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS BY EXPANDING STAFF AND SERVICES OR THROUGH THE BETTER USE OF RESOURCES AND AGENCIES IN THE COMMUNITY. TWO PROJECTS FOCUSED ON THE USE OF A MORE INTENSIVE INTAKE AND EVALUATION PROCESS, AND TWO OTHERS DEALT WITH FAMILY TREATMENT IN RESIDENTIAL SETTINGS. PREVENTION, EARLY DETECTION, AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE TOTAL COMMUNITY SYSTEM THROUGH BETTER COORDINATION OF ESTABLISHED PROGRAMS AND AGENCIES WERE GOALS OF OTHER PROJECTS. SOME PROJECTS ATTEMPTED TO ILLUSTRATE THE VALUE OF USING VOLUNTEERS TO PROVIDE SERVICES. THE TASK OF THE EVALUATORS WAS TO GATHER FROM THE DIVERSE PROJECTS LESSON THAT CAN BE APPLIED ELSEWHERE. ONE OF THE MOST WIDELY KNOWN FUNCTIONS OF EVALUATION IS EXTERNAL MONITORING TO DETERMINE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF A PROGRAM. EVALUATION IS ALSO USEFUL IN INTERNAL MANAGEMENT. IT HAS A DEFINITE IMPORTANT ROLE IN POLICY FORMULATION SINCE IT CAN IDENTIFY WHAT IS NEEDED AND WHAT WORKS AND ASSOCIATED COSTS. THE EVALUATION DESIGN FOR THE 11 PROJECTS CONCERNS PROGRAM AND PROJECT GOALS, PROCESS ANALYSIS, COST ANALYSIS, CLIENT IMPACT, AND COMMUNITY SYSTEMS. GENERAL POLICY AND PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE FIELD OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT ARE TO BE GENERATED FROM THE EVALUATION FINDINGS WITH REGARD TO TREATMENT MODALITIES, SERVICE STRATEGIES, ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES FOR PROGRAMS, MANAGEMENT AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS, ALTERNATIVE MODELS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEMS, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SUPPORT THAT WILL FACILITATE SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES. (DEP)