NCJ Number
228296
Journal
Future of Children Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: Fall 2009 Pages: 119-146
Date Published
2009
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This article examines home visiting programs as a strategy in the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Abstract
Researchers, overall, have found little evidence that home-visiting programs directly prevent child abuse and neglect. However, home visits can impart positive benefits to families by way of influencing maternal parenting practices, the quality of the child's home environment, and children's development. The programs were also reported to provide the most benefits to low-income, first-time adolescent mothers. Home visiting is a method of service delivery and come in many shapes and sizes. Home visiting is an increasingly popular method for delivering services for high-risk families. Providing services within the context of the family's home appears to be a useful and effective strategy. This article looks closely at evaluation of nine home-visiting programs and examines outcomes related to parenting and child well-being, including abuse and neglect. 2 tables and 122 endnotes