Prevention of child abuse and neglect: An evaluation of a home visitation parent aide program using recidivism data

The purpose of this research was to examine the secondary and tertiary prevention of child abuse and neglect through an evaluation of the Parent Aide Program at the Child Abuse Prevention Center in Dallas, Texas. Method: Using a quasi-experimental, retrospective research design, this project compared abuse recidivism rates for those parents who completed, dropped out, or refused to participate in a home visitation child abuse prevention program. Results: Parents who completed the Parent Aide Program had fewer subsequent, substantiated reports to child protective services of child abuse or neglect than those parents who refused to participate or dropped out of the Parent Aide Program. Conclusion: A home visitation Parent Aide Program can be effective in reducing the risk for child abuse and neglect at the secondary and tertiary level. Treatment integrity remains a critical issue, especially initial engagement of parents and participant attrition.