The Research Model

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The Research Model
Developed by theCenter for the Study of Social
Policy Funded by theDoris Duke Charitable
Foundation
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in the beginning, we were seeking a strategic,
feasible approach to child abuse prevention that

• was SYSTEMATIC,
• NATIONAL,
• Reached LARGE NUMBERS OF CHILDREN, and
• Would have impact LONG BEFORE CHILD ABUSE AND
  NEGLECT OCCURED

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our hypothesis was that early care and education
centers could be central to this approach,
because they offer

• Daily contact with parents and children
• A uniquely intimate relationship with families
• A universal approach of positive encouragement
  and education for families
• An early warning and response system at the
  first sign of trouble

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the CSSP process
STEP 1 Search the evidence to find out what
factors really reduce child abuse and
neglect STEP 2 Explore the connection between
factors that prevent child abuse and neglect and
what quality early care and education programs do
to build them STEP 3 Identify programs that
build the factors and learn how they do it
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quality early care and education
protective factors
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Do ECE programs help families as well as children?
??
CAN prevention and optimal development
??
??
??
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the protective factors framework
Parental ResilienceSocial ConnectionsKnowledge
of Parenting and Child DevelopmentConcrete
Support in Times of NeedSocial and Emotional
Development
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consultation process

• CBFRS
• Child Trends
• CWLA
• Family Support America
• Free to Grow
• National Alliance of Childrens Trust Funds
• NAEYC

• NCCAN
• NACCRRA
• National Child Care Association
• Prevent Child Abuse America
• USA Child Care
• ZERO TO THREE

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data collection process
Expert Nomination
Program Info Collection
Site Visit

• Advisory Committee
• Head Start Collaboration
• EC Specialist
• Child Care Administrator
• CTF Lead
• CBFRS Lead
• Other key informants

• Director Interview
• Key Informant Interviews
• Parent Focus Group
• Staff Focus Group
• Program Observation

• Survey
• Program Summaries
• Brochures
• Calendars
• Evaluation
• Replication

Program Write-Ups
Implementation Tools
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nominations process

• 100 programs were nominated
• 10 were selected by CSSP
• 25 were chosen for site visits

• Both nominated programs and selected programs
  reflected diversity in region program model and
  auspices budget size and target population

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how ECE programs contribute to prevention of
child abuse and neglect
Faciliate Friendships Mutual Support
Parental Resilience
Strengthen Parenting
Respond to Family Crises
Social Connections
CAN prevention and optimal development
Link Families to Services Opportunities
Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
Value Support Parents
Faciliate Childrens Social Emotional
Development
Concrete Supports
Social and Emotional Development
Observe Respond to Early Warning Signs of CAN
protective factors
program strategies
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the bottom line

• Using Early Childhood Education to prevent child
  abuse is
• A bold and promising departure from conventional
  prevention strategies
• Supported by both early childhood professionals
  and child abuse prevention advocates
• More than a collection of good program
  components. Success hinges on the quality of
  relationships

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early care and education programs can act in
several critical roles for young parents

• As a primary source of information and support
  for young families
• As a gateway to outside services and supports,
  such as health or mental health services,
  transportation, and even housing, education, and
  employment
• As a key early warning system

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ongoing research is examining

• Strengthening Families in home-based child care
• The Protective Factors across the age range for
  children

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http//www.strengtheningfamilies.net Contact Nil
ofer Ahsannilofer.ahsan_at_cssp.org
C E N T E R F O R T H E S T U D Y O F S
O C I A L P O L I C Y