Exchange Parent Aide

This is a psychoeducational program to support families with children aged 0 to 12 who are exposed to neglect and mistreatment. The intervention is carried out by supervised and trained professionals (voluntary or paid) in the family’s home.
The components of the program include:
1) Initial needs assessment: describes family dynamics, coping patterns, abuse histories, and immediate needs; and
2) Family treatment plan: involves actions for child safety; problem-solving skills; promotion of parental competence; and social support.

Impact evaluations

Impact evaluation studies have shown that fathers who completed the program were less likely to be notified by child protection services (in relation to episodes of violence against children [1]); mothers who participated were less likely to practice physical abuse and suffer from stress, depression, and anxiety. However, there was no impact on abandonment [2].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Harder, J. (2005). Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect: An Evaluation of a Home Visitation Parent Aide Program Using Recidivism Data. Research on Social Work Practice, 15(4), 246–256. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731505275062

[2] Guterman, N. B., Tabone, J. K., Bryan, G. M., Taylor, C. A., Napoleon-Hanger, C. & Banman, A. (2013). Examining the effectiveness of home-based parent aide services to reduce risk for physical child abuse and neglect: Six-month findings from a randomized clinical trial. Child Abuse & Neglect, 37(8), 566–577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2013.03.006

Information source

The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse