Using Recidivism Data To Evaluate Project 12-Ways: An Ecobehavioral Approach to the Treatment and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect

• NCJ Number: 108739
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1987) Pages: 283-290
• Author(s): J R Lutzker; J M Rice
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study compared recidivism data for 352 families receiving services from Project 12-Ways, a multifaceted ecobehavioral approach to the treatment of child abuse and neglect, with those of 358 families receiving services from Illinois protective services.

Abstract

Families received services between 1979 and 1984 and were followed up from periods of 1 to 5 years. Recidivism rates among Project 12-Ways families were significantly lower than those of control families for all years except 1981, when rates were about equal. Overall, recidivism for project families was 21.3 percent, as compared to 28.5 percent for comparison families. Data for project families indicate a slight decline in program success over time, suggesting that program effects may require booster services or additional monitoring to be maintained. Overall, results suggest that the program has been effective in preventing recidivistic child abuse and neglect. 1 figure and 23 references.