NCJ Number
241003
Date Published
February 2005
Length
79 pages
Annotation
This report presents the results of an evaluation of the first year impacts of the Healthy Families New York program.
Abstract
Findings from the evaluation of the first year of the Healthy Families New York (HFNY) program include the following: HFNY helped some parents to develop healthier attitudes toward discipline and more appropriate expectations of their children; HFNY parents were less likely to neglect their children and reported committing fewer acts of abuse; HFNY mothers experienced better outcomes at childbirth and were more likely to breast feed their children; and HFNY parents received assistance in reducing substance use and obtaining mental health treatment aimed at reducing depression. The evaluation was conducted to determine the extent to which HFNY positively affected participants' parenting skills, improved child health and development, and positively impacted parents' life course development. Data for the evaluation were obtained from a sample of women (n=1,157) who were found eligible to enter the program and were placed into 1 of 2 groups: program participants or the control group. Participants were interviewed before the birth of their child, and at 1, 2, and 3 years following the target child's birth. The findings from the evaluation indicate that the program has had a significant impact on outcomes within each of the three areas targeted by the program. Implications for policy and recommendations for improving program outcomes are discussed. Tables, figures, references, and endnotes