When Should Programs for Teen Parents and Babies Begin? Longitudinal Evaluation of a Teen Parents and Babies Program

• NCJ Number: 187137
• Journal: Journal of Primary Prevention Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: Summer 2001 Pages: 447-454
• Author(s): Alice Sterling Sterling Honig; Christine Morin
• Editor(s): Martin Bloom Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article studied the impact of information and support services for pregnant or parenting low-income, low-education adolescents on the long-range prevention of child abuse and neglect in the Teen Parents and Babies Program (TPBP) in New York.

Abstract

TPBP provides 18 to 27 months of weekly home-based parenting education by Early Childhood specialists, as well as modeling developmentally appropriate physical, emotional, and cognitive stimulation for infants. The program provides sensitive support to help young parents from a variety of ethnic groups become attuned to their infants. In this study, the major program goal was the long-term prevention of later child abuse and neglect. The longitudinal follow-up study was designed to explore the potential differential in effectiveness of program delivery started before an infant’s birth. An additional goal was to analyze the cost effectiveness of intervention in comparison with later foster care costs to the county that would be incurred after confirmation of abuse or neglect. Potential program participants were referred to the TPBP staff from other local agencies. Three groups were identified: (1) Low-Risk Contrast Group composed of low-income teen parents; (2) Program Graduates; and (3) a Drop-out Comparison Group. Findings show that initiation of home visits prior to the infant’s birth made a significant difference in preventing child abuse and neglect. Beginning service provisions in the prenatal stage for high-risk adolescents may provide a cost-effective boost for positive maternal interactions and infant mental health. The economic benefits were also established when program costs were compared with county costs for foster placement per day for children where there was confirmed conviction for child abuse and neglect. Longitudinal follow-up of high-risk teen parents showed that participation in a two year home visitation program significantly decreased rates of confirmed child abuse and neglect in comparison with program dropouts, to the levels of confirmed abuse/neglect reported for low-socioeconomic adolescents mothers. References