Relevant Research
Relevant Research from the Sphere Institute's California Policy Review:As with many social services, there is an interest within the field of home visitation in developing a set of "best practices." Evaluation results lend support to the notion that there is no "best" program model, but that it is possible to identify the best elements from the wide array of models. The proposed best practices presented below comprise the characteristics and strategies most likely to induce positive outcomes based on existing evaluations:
- Philosophy and culture: Keep the program comprehensive in focus, with an aim toward being an integral part of a broader community support system.
- Home services: Base home services on a well-defined curriculum compatible with a family's needs, culture, and language.
- Client participation: When possible, keep client participation voluntary.
- Target population: Focus on a targeted population - rather than a universal one.
- Attrition: Ascertain why clients enroll and why they choose to leave; address specific barriers to client continuation in the program.
- Staff caseloads: Restrict caseloads to a fixed number of clients per visitor.
- Credentials of staff: Use nurses, trained paraprofessional, or staff with an advanced degree in a related discipline. Visitors' skills and program objectives should be well matched.
- Duration and frequency: Greater intensity (weekly or biweekly visits) is more effective than longer duration.
- Other: Maintain flexibility and visitor attention to individual client needs; establish clear channels of communication among all parties involved and the community; implement continuous evaluation and modification as needed.
Source: Goodman, Nancy & Rapport, Dana. "Social Policy: Helping Families with Young Children--A Closer Look at Home Visitation in California." California Policy Review 1.3 (2002): 5. Website: http://www.sphereinstitute.org/
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