Testing the Effectiveness of Healthy Families America: Outcomes and Cost-Benefits of Oregon’s Healthy Start Program
Research Purpose: This project is a large-scale randomized study of Oregon’s Healthy Start (ORHS) program, designed to examine the effects of Healthy Start on substantiated maltreatment rates. In addition, the project includes detailed cost-benefit analysis of ORHS to examine program and child welfare system costs. Furthermore, through this project NPC will develop and disseminate a framework and tool for supporting cost-benefit studies of child abuse and neglect prevention programs. Healthy Start is a home visiting program based on the Healthy Families America program model, providing services to first time parents at higher risk for child welfare involvement.
Project Design: The project involves random assignment of eligible families in 7 counties to either receive ORHS services (1,000 families) or community services as usual (1,000 families). Random assignment takes place after screening is completed (at birth), eligibility is assessed, and families indicate they are interested in ORHS if a slot is available. Each family will be tracked for two years; data sources include administrative maltreatment records; measures collected by ORHS home visitors on parenting stress, home environment, child development, and family risk; and data on ORHS dosage and fidelity.
Funding Source: United States Department of Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau.
Start Date: November 2009
