NCJ Number
150965
Journal
Families in Society Volume: 72 Issue: 9 Dated: (November 1991) Pages: 554- 562
Date Published
1991
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article describes and assesses innovative programs that provide services to women who have been abused and to their children.
Abstract
The program serves women and children in community- based safe homes for up to 3 months. Given the multiple and complex needs of the client population, the children's program focused on the immediate, concrete issues faced by these children and families, as well as their emotional needs. This was achieved through the following program components: intake and assessment, case management and advocacy, group services, and counseling. Three sources of data were used to assess the program: descriptive information on 49 families, records of 46 group sessions, and information on the children of and the services provided to each of four families at one site during a 4-week period. The brevity of the data-collection period and the resulting small number of cases on which full information was available allowed only an exploratory description of the resources provided by the children's program. The description does show, however, that the services of the children's program were used by nearly all of the women accompanied by children. Attendance at the parenting groups shows that the mothers could focus some of their energy on their children during this time of crisis. In terms of help, however, the mothers focused on support and counseling for themselves and arrangements for independent living. Based on these study findings, some program recommendations are offered. 39 references