| Project Title: | Family Support and Intervention for Neglected Preschool Children |
| Grant/Contract Number: | 90CA1585 |
| Type of Project: | Demonstration |
| Funding Agency: | Office on Child Abuse and Neglect |
| Agency Contact Person: | Sue
Sparrow (202) 205-8244 |
| Principal Investigator: | Dante Cicchetti, Ph.D. |
| Mailing Address: | University of Rochester 187 Edinburgh Street Rochester, NY 14608 |
| Total Project Duration: | 04/01/97 to 03/31/02 |
| FY 98 Total Costs: | $150,000 |
| Total Project Budget: | $1,000,000 |
| Child Maltreatment Focus: | Primary, Secondary |
| Type of Abuse: | Neglect |
| Sample Size: | 360 children |
| Age of Subjects: | Preschool children (3-5 years old) and their families |
| Child
Abuse and Neglect Focus of This Project: |
Treatment and Preventive Interventions |
| Summary |
| Because child neglect poses severe risks for long-term maladjustment of victims and for increased stress within affected families, efforts to prevent further neglect and its harmful consequences are of critical importance. This 5-year longitudinal demonstration project will provide treatment to neglected preschool children and their families and evaluate project effectiveness. The early intervention program is designed to improve parenting skills and family support systems, reduce stress in the family ecology, and prevent maladaptation and future psychopathology in children neglected by their caregiver(s). The multiservice approach tailors treatment to family needs through a combination of individual home visits and multiple family groups with parents and children together. Progress made by children and families is assessed before and after treatment and at a 1-year followup. A nonmaltreated, demographically matched comparison group is assessed at the same intervals to disentangle the relative contributions of neglect and poverty on child and family outcomes. Effectiveness is evaluated by randomly assigning neglecting families to either the intensive intervention program or to standard DSS services. Dimensions within child neglect that are related to child and family outcomes and responses to treatment will also be examined. |
