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• 1. [Article] IV-E Waiver Evaluation – Leveraging Intensive Family Engagement (LIFE) Program Evaluation

  In partnership with Oregon’s Department of Human Services, we are conducting qualitative and quantitative research to document the implementation and outcomes of the LIFE program. LIFE is an innovative ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: IV-E Waiver Evaluation – Leveraging Intensive Family Engagement (LIFE) Program Evaluation Author: Furrer, Carrie Jeanne, Duong, Thuan, Cross-Hemmer, Amanda, Green, Beth L. Year: 2016 In partnership with Oregon’s Department of Human Services, we are conducting qualitative and quantitative research to document the implementation and outcomes of the LIFE program. LIFE is an innovative approach to reducing time in out of home placement by providing intensive, multi-modal interventions that integrate Family Finding, Family Meetings, Parent Mentors, and a focus on family and youth voice in reducing the time spent in care for youth at high risk for long term foster care placements. Title: IV-E Waiver Evaluation – Leveraging Intensive Family Engagement (LIFE) Program Evaluation Author: Furrer, Carrie Jeanne, Duong, Thuan, Cross-Hemmer, Amanda, Green, Beth L. Year: 2016 In partnership with Oregon’s Department of Human Services, we are conducting qualitative and quantitative research to document the implementation and outcomes of the LIFE program. LIFE is an innovative approach to reducing time in out of home placement by providing intensive, multi-modal interventions that integrate Family Finding, Family Meetings, Parent Mentors, and a focus on family and youth voice in reducing the time spent in care for youth at high risk for long term foster care placements. Close

• 2. [Article] North Douglas County Community Needs Health Assessment (Phase 1)

  Beginning in February 2016, the North Douglas County (NDC) communities of Drain, Elkton, and Yoncalla, Oregon engaged in a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) planning process, focusing on children ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: North Douglas County Community Needs Health Assessment (Phase 1) Author: Lambarth, Callie H., Reid, Diane, Green, Beth L. Year: 2016 Beginning in February 2016, the North Douglas County (NDC) communities of Drain, Elkton, and Yoncalla, Oregon engaged in a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) planning process, focusing on children ages birth-to-8 and their families. The purpose of this process was to explore, understand, and integrate linkages between early learning and young child and family health; identify health-related resources currently available and accessible to NDC families; and prioritize health areas of interest to be explored during the CHNA. The North Douglas County CHNA builds on community partnerships already established in the region through initiatives that aim to coordinate and align early learning and K-12 systems. The work of Yoncalla Early Works (“YEW”, initiated in 2012 with funding from The Ford Family Foundation and Children’s Institute) and North Douglas P3 (“NDP3”, initiated in 2014 with funding from the Oregon Community Foundation) demonstrate community commitment to supporting young children and families. The work of community members through these initiatives laid the foundation for the region’s readiness to engage in a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) planning process Ultimately, this first planning phase of the CHNA resulted in recommendations to conduct Phase 2 of the CHNA in North Douglas County, and is expected to get underway in summer/fall 2016 in collaboration with community members. The Community Health Needs Assessment will seek to answer the following questions: 1. What does health look like for children ages birth-to-8 and their families in North Douglas County? 2. What health services are available and accessible to children and families in North Douglas County? 3. What health services do families in North Douglas County need and want? 4. What needs to happen for health services to be available and accessible for North Douglas County children ages birth-to-8 and their families? Title: North Douglas County Community Needs Health Assessment (Phase 1) Author: Lambarth, Callie H., Reid, Diane, Green, Beth L. Year: 2016 Beginning in February 2016, the North Douglas County (NDC) communities of Drain, Elkton, and Yoncalla, Oregon engaged in a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) planning process, focusing on children ages birth-to-8 and their families. The purpose of this process was to explore, understand, and integrate linkages between early learning and young child and family health; identify health-related resources currently available and accessible to NDC families; and prioritize health areas of interest to be explored during the CHNA. The North Douglas County CHNA builds on community partnerships already established in the region through initiatives that aim to coordinate and align early learning and K-12 systems. The work of Yoncalla Early Works (“YEW”, initiated in 2012 with funding from The Ford Family Foundation and Children’s Institute) and North Douglas P3 (“NDP3”, initiated in 2014 with funding from the Oregon Community Foundation) demonstrate community commitment to supporting young children and families. The work of community members through these initiatives laid the foundation for the region’s readiness to engage in a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) planning process Ultimately, this first planning phase of the CHNA resulted in recommendations to conduct Phase 2 of the CHNA in North Douglas County, and is expected to get underway in summer/fall 2016 in collaboration with community members. The Community Health Needs Assessment will seek to answer the following questions: 1. What does health look like for children ages birth-to-8 and their families in North Douglas County? 2. What health services are available and accessible to children and families in North Douglas County? 3. What health services do families in North Douglas County need and want? 4. What needs to happen for health services to be available and accessible for North Douglas County children ages birth-to-8 and their families? Close

• 3. [Article] The Role of Interagency Collaboration for Substance- Abusing Families Involved with Child Welfare

  Meeting the needs of families involved with the child welfare system because of a substance abuse issue remains a challenge for child welfare practitioners. In order to improve services to these families, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Role of Interagency Collaboration for Substance- Abusing Families Involved with Child Welfare Author: Green, Beth L., Rockhill, Anna, Burns, Scott Year: 2008 Meeting the needs of families involved with the child welfare system because of a substance abuse issue remains a challenge for child welfare practitioners. In order to improve services to these families, there has been an increasing focus on improving collaboration between child welfare, treatment providers, and the court systems. This paper presents the results from qualitative interviews with 104 representatives of these three systems that explore how the collaborative process works to benefit families, as well as the barriers and supports for building successful collaborations. Results indicate that collaboration has at least three major functions: building shared value systems, improving communication, and providing a "team" of support. Each of these leads to different kinds of benefits for families as well as providers and has different implications for building successful collaborative interventions. Despite these putative benefits, providers within each system, however, continue to struggle to build effective collaborations, and they face such issues as deeply ingrained mistrust and continued lack of understanding of other systems' values, goals, and perspectives. Challenges that remain for successful collaborations are discussed. Title: The Role of Interagency Collaboration for Substance- Abusing Families Involved with Child Welfare Author: Green, Beth L., Rockhill, Anna, Burns, Scott Year: 2008 Meeting the needs of families involved with the child welfare system because of a substance abuse issue remains a challenge for child welfare practitioners. In order to improve services to these families, there has been an increasing focus on improving collaboration between child welfare, treatment providers, and the court systems. This paper presents the results from qualitative interviews with 104 representatives of these three systems that explore how the collaborative process works to benefit families, as well as the barriers and supports for building successful collaborations. Results indicate that collaboration has at least three major functions: building shared value systems, improving communication, and providing a "team" of support. Each of these leads to different kinds of benefits for families as well as providers and has different implications for building successful collaborative interventions. Despite these putative benefits, providers within each system, however, continue to struggle to build effective collaborations, and they face such issues as deeply ingrained mistrust and continued lack of understanding of other systems' values, goals, and perspectives. Challenges that remain for successful collaborations are discussed. Close

• 4. [Article] Using Administrative Data to Evaluate the Effectiveness of the Healthy Families Oregon Home Visiting Program: 2-year Impacts on Child Maltreatment & Service Utilization

  The present study used state administrative databases to examine the 2-year outcomes of a large-scale randomized study of the impact of the Healthy Families Oregon (HFO) home visiting program. 2727 eligible ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Using Administrative Data to Evaluate the Effectiveness of the Healthy Families Oregon Home Visiting Program: 2-year Impacts on Child Maltreatment & Service Utilization Author: Green, Beth L., Sanders, Mary Beth, Tarte, Jerod Year: 2017 The present study used state administrative databases to examine the 2-year outcomes of a large-scale randomized study of the impact of the Healthy Families Oregon (HFO) home visiting program. 2727 eligible first-time mothers were randomly assigned to either the HFO program or to a community services-as-usual control group. Outcomes for the current study were tracked for 2 years post-random assignment for all study participants through administrative data linkages to Oregon's statewide child welfare system, self-sufficiency services, and substance abuse treatment programs. Results indicated that families assigned to HFO program were no more or less likely to have a substantiated child abuse report than were controls (6.3% vs. 6.0%), but were significantly more likely to have an unsubstantiated report (9.7% vs. 7.9%). Among HFO families who were reported to the child welfare system, 86.2% (94 children) were reported after they had exited the program, while 13.8% (15 children) had a report while enrolled. However, 50.5% of children with unsubstantiated reports were reported while families were receiving HFO services, suggesting a surveillance effect for unsubstantiated reports. HFO families, compared to controls, were also significantly more likely to have been enrolled in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) services for the first time, to have received more days of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and to be enrolled in publically-funded substance abuse treatment services. Results suggest that early effects of home visitation on outcomes that can be measured through administrative data are small to modest, and that findings related to documented child welfare systems involvement may require more nuanced data than are typically used and/or available from state agency systems. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd Title: Using Administrative Data to Evaluate the Effectiveness of the Healthy Families Oregon Home Visiting Program: 2-year Impacts on Child Maltreatment & Service Utilization Author: Green, Beth L., Sanders, Mary Beth, Tarte, Jerod Year: 2017 The present study used state administrative databases to examine the 2-year outcomes of a large-scale randomized study of the impact of the Healthy Families Oregon (HFO) home visiting program. 2727 eligible first-time mothers were randomly assigned to either the HFO program or to a community services-as-usual control group. Outcomes for the current study were tracked for 2 years post-random assignment for all study participants through administrative data linkages to Oregon's statewide child welfare system, self-sufficiency services, and substance abuse treatment programs. Results indicated that families assigned to HFO program were no more or less likely to have a substantiated child abuse report than were controls (6.3% vs. 6.0%), but were significantly more likely to have an unsubstantiated report (9.7% vs. 7.9%). Among HFO families who were reported to the child welfare system, 86.2% (94 children) were reported after they had exited the program, while 13.8% (15 children) had a report while enrolled. However, 50.5% of children with unsubstantiated reports were reported while families were receiving HFO services, suggesting a surveillance effect for unsubstantiated reports. HFO families, compared to controls, were also significantly more likely to have been enrolled in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) services for the first time, to have received more days of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and to be enrolled in publically-funded substance abuse treatment services. Results suggest that early effects of home visitation on outcomes that can be measured through administrative data are small to modest, and that findings related to documented child welfare systems involvement may require more nuanced data than are typically used and/or available from state agency systems. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd Close

• 5. [Article] Testing the Effectiveness of Healthy Start-Healthy Families Oregon: Outcomes and Cost-Benefits

  Objectives. This study was designed to achieve several specific objectives: (1) to conduct a large-scale randomized study of the impact of the Healthy Families Oregon (HFO) program, a home visitation program ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Testing the Effectiveness of Healthy Start-Healthy Families Oregon: Outcomes and Cost-Benefits Author: Green, Beth L., Tarte, Jerod, Sanders, Mary Beth, Waller, Mark S. Year: 2016 Objectives. This study was designed to achieve several specific objectives: (1) to conduct a large-scale randomized study of the impact of the Healthy Families Oregon (HFO) program, a home visitation program using the Healthy Families America model, on child welfare system involvement, access to self-sufficiency resources, and use of preventive and other medical services; (2) to conduct a comprehensive and detailed cost-benefit study of the HFO program; and (3) to develop and disseminate a web-based tool to support home visiting program managers, funders, and others to better understand and develop readiness for conducting program cost analysis and cost-benefit research. Approach. 2,727 eligible first-time parents were randomly assigned to receive the HFO program or a community services-as-usual control group. The research team obtained 2 years of postenrollment follow-up data on all study participants from Oregon’s child welfare system, selfsufficiency services, and medical assistance programs. Additionally, a 1-year post-enrollment telephone interview was conducted with a random sample of 803 study participants (403 program, 400 control). Analyses were also conducted to examine whether program impacts varied for subgroups of families with different demographic and baseline risk characteristics, and to explore the relationship of program fidelity and dosage to outcomes. Finally, a detailed program cost analysis was conducted and administrative data outcomes were used in a cost-benefit analysis. Results/Benefits. 1-year follow-up interviews with parents found that HFO families were significantly more likely (compared to controls) to read to their young children frequently, to provide developmentally supportive activities, and to report lower parenting-related stress as measured by the Parent Stress Inventory (PSI). These effects appeared to be strongest for families with four or more risk factors (two factors more than the threshold for “at risk”). Administrative data outcomes at 2 years post enrollment found that families were no more likely to have a founded child abuse report than were controls (6.3% vs. 6.0%), but were significantly more likely to have an unfounded report (9.7% vs. 7.9%). HFO families, compared to controls, were also significantly more likely to have been enrolled in TANF services for the first time, received more days of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and were more likely to be enrolled in substance abuse treatment services. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of use of or access to publicly funded health insurance or health-related services. Consistent with other cost-benefit analyses of home visiting and early childhood programs, results of the cost-benefit analyses did not support short-term cost savings associated with receipt of the HFO program. A web-based tool, The Home Visiting Cost Tool, was posted to the following web address: www.homevisitcosts.com. Title: Testing the Effectiveness of Healthy Start-Healthy Families Oregon: Outcomes and Cost-Benefits Author: Green, Beth L., Tarte, Jerod, Sanders, Mary Beth, Waller, Mark S. Year: 2016 Objectives. This study was designed to achieve several specific objectives: (1) to conduct a large-scale randomized study of the impact of the Healthy Families Oregon (HFO) program, a home visitation program using the Healthy Families America model, on child welfare system involvement, access to self-sufficiency resources, and use of preventive and other medical services; (2) to conduct a comprehensive and detailed cost-benefit study of the HFO program; and (3) to develop and disseminate a web-based tool to support home visiting program managers, funders, and others to better understand and develop readiness for conducting program cost analysis and cost-benefit research. Approach. 2,727 eligible first-time parents were randomly assigned to receive the HFO program or a community services-as-usual control group. The research team obtained 2 years of postenrollment follow-up data on all study participants from Oregon’s child welfare system, selfsufficiency services, and medical assistance programs. Additionally, a 1-year post-enrollment telephone interview was conducted with a random sample of 803 study participants (403 program, 400 control). Analyses were also conducted to examine whether program impacts varied for subgroups of families with different demographic and baseline risk characteristics, and to explore the relationship of program fidelity and dosage to outcomes. Finally, a detailed program cost analysis was conducted and administrative data outcomes were used in a cost-benefit analysis. Results/Benefits. 1-year follow-up interviews with parents found that HFO families were significantly more likely (compared to controls) to read to their young children frequently, to provide developmentally supportive activities, and to report lower parenting-related stress as measured by the Parent Stress Inventory (PSI). These effects appeared to be strongest for families with four or more risk factors (two factors more than the threshold for “at risk”). Administrative data outcomes at 2 years post enrollment found that families were no more likely to have a founded child abuse report than were controls (6.3% vs. 6.0%), but were significantly more likely to have an unfounded report (9.7% vs. 7.9%). HFO families, compared to controls, were also significantly more likely to have been enrolled in TANF services for the first time, received more days of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and were more likely to be enrolled in substance abuse treatment services. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of use of or access to publicly funded health insurance or health-related services. Consistent with other cost-benefit analyses of home visiting and early childhood programs, results of the cost-benefit analyses did not support short-term cost savings associated with receipt of the HFO program. A web-based tool, The Home Visiting Cost Tool, was posted to the following web address: www.homevisitcosts.com. Close

• 6. [Article] Kids in Transition to School (KITS)

  During the summer and fall of 2016, children and families in 16 schools in Lane County participated in the Kids in Transition to School (KITS) Program. KITS includes 16 weeks of group-based child classes ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Kids in Transition to School (KITS) Author: Green, Beth L., Mitchell, Lorelei, Patterson, Lindsey Brianna Year: 2017 During the summer and fall of 2016, children and families in 16 schools in Lane County participated in the Kids in Transition to School (KITS) Program. KITS includes 16 weeks of group-based child classes and 12 weeks of parenting workshops, using an evidence-based curriculum designed to improve school readiness skills and parenting. To learn more about the KITS program from the perspective of participating families, four focus groups were held with parents who participated in KITS. A total of 44 parents participated in the groups, which were located in four different schools (two small, rural locations and two larger more urban school districts). Focus groups were conducted in English, and 3 Spanish-speaking parents participated in 2 of the groups. Translation was provided for Spanish speaking parents who participated. Groups were facilitated by members of the KITS evaluation team from the Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services at Portland State University. Participants reported mixed experiences prior to KITS in terms of children’s experience with preschool, with about half reporting that their child had been to preschool and about half indicating no prior group-based experiences. Focus group questions were designed to learn more about families’ experience with the KITS program (e.g., the enrollment process, attendance supports, etc.), about the benefits of the program for parents and children, and about any challenges encountered with the program. Focus group questions were designed to learn more about families’ experience with the KITS program (e.g., the enrollment process, attendance supports, etc.), about the benefits of the program for parents and children, and about any challenges encountered with the program. Focus group discussions were transcribed and analyzed by the senior researcher to identify key themes. These themes and findings were then reviewed by the other team members and by the focus group facilitators to confirm and clarify findings. Title: Kids in Transition to School (KITS) Author: Green, Beth L., Mitchell, Lorelei, Patterson, Lindsey Brianna Year: 2017 During the summer and fall of 2016, children and families in 16 schools in Lane County participated in the Kids in Transition to School (KITS) Program. KITS includes 16 weeks of group-based child classes and 12 weeks of parenting workshops, using an evidence-based curriculum designed to improve school readiness skills and parenting. To learn more about the KITS program from the perspective of participating families, four focus groups were held with parents who participated in KITS. A total of 44 parents participated in the groups, which were located in four different schools (two small, rural locations and two larger more urban school districts). Focus groups were conducted in English, and 3 Spanish-speaking parents participated in 2 of the groups. Translation was provided for Spanish speaking parents who participated. Groups were facilitated by members of the KITS evaluation team from the Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services at Portland State University. Participants reported mixed experiences prior to KITS in terms of children’s experience with preschool, with about half reporting that their child had been to preschool and about half indicating no prior group-based experiences. Focus group questions were designed to learn more about families’ experience with the KITS program (e.g., the enrollment process, attendance supports, etc.), about the benefits of the program for parents and children, and about any challenges encountered with the program. Focus group questions were designed to learn more about families’ experience with the KITS program (e.g., the enrollment process, attendance supports, etc.), about the benefits of the program for parents and children, and about any challenges encountered with the program. Focus group discussions were transcribed and analyzed by the senior researcher to identify key themes. These themes and findings were then reviewed by the other team members and by the focus group facilitators to confirm and clarify findings. Close

• 7. [Article] North Douglas County Community Needs Health Assessment (Phase 2)

  Beginning in August 2016, Phase 2 of the North Douglas County (NDC) Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) built on work completed in the Phase 1 planning process, and engaged the communities of Drain, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: North Douglas County Community Needs Health Assessment (Phase 2) Author: Lambarth, Callie H., Reid, Diane, Green, Beth L. Year: 2017 Beginning in August 2016, Phase 2 of the North Douglas County (NDC) Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) built on work completed in the Phase 1 planning process, and engaged the communities of Drain, Elkton, and Yoncalla, Oregon in the development and administration of a regional health services survey. The purpose of the survey was to learn from families with children ages 0-8 in the NDC region in order to: • Identify service needs across a range of health service types, e.g., dental care, immunizations, prenatal care, well-child care, primary care, and mental health; • Identify barriers to access; • Prioritize the programs and resources families most need to be able to support their and their children’s health; • Learn about preferred ways families would like to access these services; and • Recommend strategies to address the prioritized issues, needs, and barriers that emerge from the survey findings. Title: North Douglas County Community Needs Health Assessment (Phase 2) Author: Lambarth, Callie H., Reid, Diane, Green, Beth L. Year: 2017 Beginning in August 2016, Phase 2 of the North Douglas County (NDC) Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) built on work completed in the Phase 1 planning process, and engaged the communities of Drain, Elkton, and Yoncalla, Oregon in the development and administration of a regional health services survey. The purpose of the survey was to learn from families with children ages 0-8 in the NDC region in order to: • Identify service needs across a range of health service types, e.g., dental care, immunizations, prenatal care, well-child care, primary care, and mental health; • Identify barriers to access; • Prioritize the programs and resources families most need to be able to support their and their children’s health; • Learn about preferred ways families would like to access these services; and • Recommend strategies to address the prioritized issues, needs, and barriers that emerge from the survey findings. Close

• 8. [Article] Accessing Substance Abuse Treatment: Issues for Parents Involved with Child Welfare Services

  The complex issues associated with barriers to treatment entry for parents who are involved with child welfare has not been well explored. Accessing timely treatment is now critical for these parents since ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Accessing Substance Abuse Treatment: Issues for Parents Involved with Child Welfare Services Author: Rockhill, Anna, Green, Beth L., Newton-Curtis, Linda Year: 2008 The complex issues associated with barriers to treatment entry for parents who are involved with child welfare has not been well explored. Accessing timely treatment is now critical for these parents since the introduction of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, limiting the time until a permanency decision is made. Using a longitudinal, qualitative approach, substance-abusing parents from 15 families, their relevant family members, and service providers were interviewed approximately every 3 months over an 18-month period. The experiences of these parents add to our knowledge of the unique barriers this population faces, and expands our understanding of the mechanisms by which certain barriers may delay treatment. Title: Accessing Substance Abuse Treatment: Issues for Parents Involved with Child Welfare Services Author: Rockhill, Anna, Green, Beth L., Newton-Curtis, Linda Year: 2008 The complex issues associated with barriers to treatment entry for parents who are involved with child welfare has not been well explored. Accessing timely treatment is now critical for these parents since the introduction of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, limiting the time until a permanency decision is made. Using a longitudinal, qualitative approach, substance-abusing parents from 15 families, their relevant family members, and service providers were interviewed approximately every 3 months over an 18-month period. The experiences of these parents add to our knowledge of the unique barriers this population faces, and expands our understanding of the mechanisms by which certain barriers may delay treatment. Close

• 9. [Article] Waiver III: Parent Mentor & Relationship Based Visitation

  The Center for the Improvement of Child and Family Services at Portland State University was contracted by the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), Child Welfare Division to conduct the evaluation ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Waiver III: Parent Mentor & Relationship Based Visitation Author: Green, Beth L., Rockhill, Anna, Furrer, Carrie Jeanne, Rodgers, Angela, Duong, Thuan, Cross-Hemmer, Amanda, Cooper, Christine, Cherry, Kevin Year: 2015 The Center for the Improvement of Child and Family Services at Portland State University was contracted by the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), Child Welfare Division to conduct the evaluation of the Title IV-E Waiver Demonstration Project. The project was funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Children’s Bureau. Oregon’s IV-E Waiver Demonstration involved the implementation and evaluation of two innovative service models for families involved in the child welfare system: (1) RelationshipBased Visitation (RBV); and (2) Parent Mentoring (PM). Relationship-Based Visitation (RBV) was provided in 13 Districts and 29 counties; Parent Mentoring was provided in 4 Districts and 7 counties. RBV services were offered to families with children ages 0-12 who were in an out-ofhome placement. The model provided an intensive parent coaching model, based on the evidence-based Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP, Bavolek, McLaughlin, & Comstock, 1983; See also: www.nurturingparenting.com) and was delivered during parent-child visitation by contracted providers. Parent Mentoring employed peer recovery coaches to support parents with substance abuse issues whose children are either receiving in-home or out-of-home services through child welfare. Parent Mentors, who were typically parents who were in their own recovery and who had experience with the child welfare system, utilized a relationship-based, parent-directed, outcome-oriented approach to working with DHS clients to help them sustain their own recovery and successfully retain or regain custody of their children. Title: Waiver III: Parent Mentor & Relationship Based Visitation Author: Green, Beth L., Rockhill, Anna, Furrer, Carrie Jeanne, Rodgers, Angela, Duong, Thuan, Cross-Hemmer, Amanda, Cooper, Christine, Cherry, Kevin Year: 2015 The Center for the Improvement of Child and Family Services at Portland State University was contracted by the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), Child Welfare Division to conduct the evaluation of the Title IV-E Waiver Demonstration Project. The project was funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Children’s Bureau. Oregon’s IV-E Waiver Demonstration involved the implementation and evaluation of two innovative service models for families involved in the child welfare system: (1) RelationshipBased Visitation (RBV); and (2) Parent Mentoring (PM). Relationship-Based Visitation (RBV) was provided in 13 Districts and 29 counties; Parent Mentoring was provided in 4 Districts and 7 counties. RBV services were offered to families with children ages 0-12 who were in an out-ofhome placement. The model provided an intensive parent coaching model, based on the evidence-based Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP, Bavolek, McLaughlin, & Comstock, 1983; See also: www.nurturingparenting.com) and was delivered during parent-child visitation by contracted providers. Parent Mentoring employed peer recovery coaches to support parents with substance abuse issues whose children are either receiving in-home or out-of-home services through child welfare. Parent Mentors, who were typically parents who were in their own recovery and who had experience with the child welfare system, utilized a relationship-based, parent-directed, outcome-oriented approach to working with DHS clients to help them sustain their own recovery and successfully retain or regain custody of their children. Close

• 10. [Article] Multnomah County Project Launch Evaluation

  Early childhood is a critical time in human development. Any experience, positive or negative, can influence long-term outcomes for physical, emotional, social, and cognitive health (Center on the Developing ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Multnomah County Project Launch Evaluation Author: Auerbach, Jessica, Emlen, Elana S., Garcia, Danielle C., Hause, Noelle, Lambarth, Callie H., Lorentson, Mhora, Rife, Isabel M., Zavela, Kathleen J., Aratani, Yumiko, Bracey, Jeana R., Ekono, Mercedes, Green, Beth L., Kryah, Rachel, Mendez, Melissa, Smith, Sheila, Tom, Lily Year: 2016 Early childhood is a critical time in human development. Any experience, positive or negative, can influence long-term outcomes for physical, emotional, social, and cognitive health (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2010). To ensure a strong foundation for success in school and in life, efforts designed to promote wellness and identify early learning or mental health challenges must begin well before kindergarten. Strong evidence shows that investing in early childhood can yield large dividends for children. Additionally, the ability of our systems to provide positive outcomes for children can be enhanced through strategic planning, well-developed partnerships, and coordinated family services. Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health), a federally funded United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) initiative, aims to enhance and improve the way systems function by bringing together all participants in each child’s life including caregivers, primary care providers, early childhood educators, and mental health providers. Project LAUNCH strives to incorporate all participants, at all levels of service provision, to strengthen our ability to achieve the best possible outcomes in social and emotional health and wellness for all children. Project LAUNCH has funded states, local jurisdictions, and tribes interested in achieving these goals since 2008. Under Project LAUNCH, grantees are charged with (1) promoting the healthy development of children from birth to age 8 and their families by harnessing and coordinating existing resources and (2) increasing access to high-quality, evidence-based programs in five childcentric domains: developmental screening and assessment, home visiting, mental health consultation, family strengthening and training, and integration of behavioral health into primary care. By developing an understanding of the landscape of services and supports unique to each state and community and by evaluating strengths and opportunities for change, grantees begin to implement promotion and prevention strategies that best serve the needs of their communities at the child, family, and systems levels. Thus, while there are distinct cultural, geographic, and economic differences across LAUNCH sites in all cohorts, the fundamental components of the LAUNCH model remain the same for all grantees. To date, Project LAUNCH has funded 55 projects across six cohorts. All LAUNCH grantees are expected to demonstrate local policy and practice improvements that can be sustained statewide. Unlike other LAUNCH cohorts, Cohort 3 grantees are distinguished by the fact that they were funded solely at the community level with no state or tribal oversight. This presented the six sites with a unique set of opportunities and challenges as they sought to bring policy and practice improvements to scale, enhance infrastructure, and implement direct services in the five domains or strategies. The uniqueness of the community-based aspect of Cohort 3 grantees provided both challenges and opportunities. Grantees identified the flexibility and ability to control program activities within a community setting as key advantages to the local grants, whereas the ability to replicate successful activities and implement policy change on a statewide basis were limited. Additionally, the uniqueness of Cohort 3 made it challenging to evaluate the success of Cohort 3 grantees by measuring their progress against that of other cohorts. This e-book was developed to highlight and share the experience of the local communities in Cohort 3. This publication is designed to serve as a resource for future early childhood systems development activities implemented by LAUNCH grantees or by other early childhood programs with similar goals and interests. This publication shares the contributions of this unique cohort to the field of young children’s mental health and family wellness by spotlighting accomplishments, evidence, and lessons learned within the context of the LAUNCH strategic framework. Narratives from the six grantees detail the successes and challenges of systems building from the ground up and emphasize the value-added benefits of funding directly at the community level. Recommendations for present and future LAUNCH projects and similar initiatives address strategies to build local, state, and national partnerships to support replication and sustainability. We hope you will find this resource of value for supporting local initiatives that promote young child and family wellness Title: Multnomah County Project Launch Evaluation Author: Auerbach, Jessica, Emlen, Elana S., Garcia, Danielle C., Hause, Noelle, Lambarth, Callie H., Lorentson, Mhora, Rife, Isabel M., Zavela, Kathleen J., Aratani, Yumiko, Bracey, Jeana R., Ekono, Mercedes, Green, Beth L., Kryah, Rachel, Mendez, Melissa, Smith, Sheila, Tom, Lily Year: 2016 Early childhood is a critical time in human development. Any experience, positive or negative, can influence long-term outcomes for physical, emotional, social, and cognitive health (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2010). To ensure a strong foundation for success in school and in life, efforts designed to promote wellness and identify early learning or mental health challenges must begin well before kindergarten. Strong evidence shows that investing in early childhood can yield large dividends for children. Additionally, the ability of our systems to provide positive outcomes for children can be enhanced through strategic planning, well-developed partnerships, and coordinated family services. Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health), a federally funded United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) initiative, aims to enhance and improve the way systems function by bringing together all participants in each child’s life including caregivers, primary care providers, early childhood educators, and mental health providers. Project LAUNCH strives to incorporate all participants, at all levels of service provision, to strengthen our ability to achieve the best possible outcomes in social and emotional health and wellness for all children. Project LAUNCH has funded states, local jurisdictions, and tribes interested in achieving these goals since 2008. Under Project LAUNCH, grantees are charged with (1) promoting the healthy development of children from birth to age 8 and their families by harnessing and coordinating existing resources and (2) increasing access to high-quality, evidence-based programs in five childcentric domains: developmental screening and assessment, home visiting, mental health consultation, family strengthening and training, and integration of behavioral health into primary care. By developing an understanding of the landscape of services and supports unique to each state and community and by evaluating strengths and opportunities for change, grantees begin to implement promotion and prevention strategies that best serve the needs of their communities at the child, family, and systems levels. Thus, while there are distinct cultural, geographic, and economic differences across LAUNCH sites in all cohorts, the fundamental components of the LAUNCH model remain the same for all grantees. To date, Project LAUNCH has funded 55 projects across six cohorts. All LAUNCH grantees are expected to demonstrate local policy and practice improvements that can be sustained statewide. Unlike other LAUNCH cohorts, Cohort 3 grantees are distinguished by the fact that they were funded solely at the community level with no state or tribal oversight. This presented the six sites with a unique set of opportunities and challenges as they sought to bring policy and practice improvements to scale, enhance infrastructure, and implement direct services in the five domains or strategies. The uniqueness of the community-based aspect of Cohort 3 grantees provided both challenges and opportunities. Grantees identified the flexibility and ability to control program activities within a community setting as key advantages to the local grants, whereas the ability to replicate successful activities and implement policy change on a statewide basis were limited. Additionally, the uniqueness of Cohort 3 made it challenging to evaluate the success of Cohort 3 grantees by measuring their progress against that of other cohorts. This e-book was developed to highlight and share the experience of the local communities in Cohort 3. This publication is designed to serve as a resource for future early childhood systems development activities implemented by LAUNCH grantees or by other early childhood programs with similar goals and interests. This publication shares the contributions of this unique cohort to the field of young children’s mental health and family wellness by spotlighting accomplishments, evidence, and lessons learned within the context of the LAUNCH strategic framework. Narratives from the six grantees detail the successes and challenges of systems building from the ground up and emphasize the value-added benefits of funding directly at the community level. Recommendations for present and future LAUNCH projects and similar initiatives address strategies to build local, state, and national partnerships to support replication and sustainability. We hope you will find this resource of value for supporting local initiatives that promote young child and family wellness Close