ABSTRACT: In collaboration with the University of Maryland, School of Social Work Title IV-E Education for Child Welfare Program, Baltimore County DSS piloted a project of therapeutic visiting between parents and young children (0-6). The University of Maryland, Center for Families provided consultation on the design and implementation of a measurement approach for evaluating the outcomes of this project. The goals of the visitation intervention included: (1) enhancing the parent-child attachment; (2) teaching parenting skills; and (3) providing child development information to families. The outcomes of the project focused on time frames for achievement of permanency for children serviced in the project. It was hoped that the planned interventions would impact positively upon the timelines, expediting the achievement of permanency plans. Specific activities of the Center for Families included developing a computer-assisted interview that was administered to the participants of the Therapeutic Visiting Project before and after their participation in the project. The interview was designed to assess changes in selected variables that influence placement decisions and permanency outcomes as perceived by caretakers such as stress, physical and mental health, substance abuse, parenting attitudes, and social support. In addition, during the posttest, clients were asked questions regarding their satisfaction with their foster care worker. The Center for Families also helped BCODSS develop a data system integrating their existing FACTS database with the interview data. The data system included a strategy for scoring the interview’s scales. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Diane DePanfilis, PhD FUNDING SOURCE: Baltimore County Department of Social Services AMOUNT OF FUNDING: $25,000 PROJECT DATES: 2001 - 2002 PRODUCTS:
Final Report
DePanfilis, D., Daining, C., & Wechsler, J. (2002). Therapeutic visiting pilot project technical assistance final report. Report prepared by the University of Maryland Center for Families for the Baltimore County Department of Social Services.
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