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Family Advocate Services in a Community Based Program

Family Advocate Services in a Community Based Program. Funded by THE COMMEMORATIVE KEEPSAKE Birth Certificate MARYLAND CHILDREN’S TRUST FUND. The Governor’s 9 th Annual Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect April 25 th and 26 th 2002. University of Maryland, Baltimore

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Family Advocate Services in a Community Based Program

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  1. Family Advocate Services in a Community Based Program Funded by THE COMMEMORATIVE KEEPSAKE Birth Certificate MARYLAND CHILDREN’S TRUST FUND The Governor’s 9th Annual Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect April 25th and 26th 2002

  2. University of Maryland, Baltimore Center for Families Charlene Gaskins, BSN Family Advocate Family Connections Frederick H Strieder, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Social Work Director, Community Services

  3. What harm do children face in West Baltimore?* • Poverty – up to 58% of children live in poverty. • Truancy – 39% miss > than 20 days/year. • Child abuse & neglect – 39 per 1000 children • Juvenile arrest rates – 130 per 1000 children • Teen pregnancy – 16% of females ages 10-17 *Baltimore City Data Collaborative, 2001

  4. Consensus • Targeting single risk factors not likely to be as effective as an ecological perspective. • Intervention and prevention programs for this population must be individualized and offer multiple services. • Services must empower families, build on strengths, and respect cultural diversity. Diane DePanfilis, 2001

  5. Goals of Family Strengthening Programs • To increase protective factors • To decrease risk factors Diane DePanfilis, 2001

  6. Protective Factors • Supportive caregiver-child relationships • Positive discipline methods • Close monitoring & supervision of children • Coping strategies by adults & children • Social support & community connections • Spirituality • Cultural roots • Economic stability Diane DePanfilis, 2001

  7. Risk Factors • Family conflict, chaos, stress • Caregiver mental & physical health problems • Child behavioral, mental and physical health problems • Poor caregiver-child relationships • Social isolation • Poverty & community violence Diane DePanfilis, 2001

  8. Strengthening Families in West Baltimore

  9. Overview of Program • Family Connections, Baltimore, Maryland • Promotes the safety and well being of children and families through family and community services, professional education and training, and research and evaluation. A program of the University of Maryland, Baltimore Center for Families

  10. Target neighborhoods Serve children and families who live or go to school in the following zip codes: 21201, 21216, 21217, 21223, and 21230

  11. Philosophical Principles • Community outreach • Family assessment and tailored interventions • Helping alliance • Empowerment approaches • Strengths perspective • Cultural competence • Outcome driven service plans Diane DePanfilis, 2001

  12. Intervention • Services geared to increase protective factors and decrease risk factors. Diane DePanfilis, 2001

  13. Intervention Services • Crisis intervention • Emergency assistance • Individualized outcome based services • Individual and family counseling • Strengthening multi-ethnic families and communities parent groups • Child therapeutic activity groups • Client advocacy • Service coordination and management

  14. Social Work Services • Three month intervals • Maximum of six months • Interns supervised by School of Social Work Clinical Faculty (University of Maryland School of Social Work Title IVE Education for Child Welfare Program )

  15. Family Advocate • Provided during the first three months • Targeting the “stabilization period” • Reduction of situational risk factors • Housing • Food • Mental health needs • Substance abuse problems • Educational needs • Health needs

  16. Family Advocate • Necessary Components for Success • Caring • Respect • Commitment • Perseverance • Knowledge of families and communities, and skills to partner with families

  17. Program Intervention Effect Preliminary analyses suggests • Caregiver well being(decreased depressive symptoms, reduced stress, improved parenting attitudes and satisfaction) • Family well being(increased social support, and resources) Diane DePanfilis, 2001

  18. Program Intervention Effect • Child safety (fewer housing problems, prevention of child protection service reports) • Child well being (decrease in externalizing and internalizing behavior problems) Diane DePanfilis, 2001

  19. To find out more about Family Connections in West Baltimore, go to www.family.umaryland.edu

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