Implementing paraprofessional strength-based early intervention home visitations

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the implementation process for Parenting Plus, the early intervention program of the Pipestone Health District. Parenting Plus, as modeled after Hawaii Healthy Start, provides strength-based paraprofessional home visitations to overburdened parents of newborns. The goal of the program is to strengthen families through the personal development of young parents that includes their ability to use community-based resources to affect positive parenting outcomes.A utilization-focused evaluation involving stakeholders that followed an implementation framework was designed. In so doing, the objectives of the study were iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Evaluation in the field of early childhood development: A scoping review

“…Ten of the studies incorporated working groups or stakeholder meetings, with select individuals representing a particular segment of the community (Aronson et al, 2007a, 2007b; Bailey et al, 2006; Biott & Cook, 2000; Jayawardena, 2016; Kellar, 2001; Kingston, 2016; Mykota, 2008; O’Sullivan & D’Agostino, 2002; Peter, 2003; Stack et al, 2018). Stakeholders were responsible for designing, implementing, and analysing evaluation plans, as well as developing data collection instruments and deliberating on results.…”

Youth Violence: Sources and Solutions in South Africa

“…In the limited literature that exists, findings indicate that paraprofessionals can effectively deliver prevention programmes (for example, Kovach, Becker & Worley, 2004), although there are some exceptions (for example, MacMillan et al, 2008), and the use of professionals (for example, nurses) may amplify programme effectiveness in some instances . The most important features of a home visitation programme for at-risk mothers, delivered by paraprofessionals, included teaching communication skills, helping families recognise their strengths, providing child-centred information, offering emotional support, building confidence and trust, providing respite and child care, and accessing intersectoral resources (Mykota, 2008). The family also benefitted from paraprofessionals connecting with community-based services, such as public health nurses, community health nurses, physicians, speech and language pathologists, educational services, psychological services, counsellors, addiction services and mental health professionals (Mykota, 2008).…”

“…The most important features of a home visitation programme for at-risk mothers, delivered by paraprofessionals, included teaching communication skills, helping families recognise their strengths, providing child-centred information, offering emotional support, building confidence and trust, providing respite and child care, and accessing intersectoral resources (Mykota, 2008). The family also benefitted from paraprofessionals connecting with community-based services, such as public health nurses, community health nurses, physicians, speech and language pathologists, educational services, psychological services, counsellors, addiction services and mental health professionals (Mykota, 2008). A review of studies on the effectiveness of paraprofessionals in mental health services indicates that paraprofessionals are the most effective in establishing good rapport with clients, providing emotional support, providing information and linking clients to other services, and providing concrete services, such as transportation (Walter & Petr, 2006).…”