Methodological design and procedures of program evaluation of therapeutic day treatment and outpatient program for preschool-aged children exposed to maltreatment

Katie J. Stone*, Rebecca M. Kanine, Sara Kuckelman, Yo Jackson, Ann Thomas

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Preschool-aged children who experience child maltreatment are at an increased risk for mental and behavioral problems compared to their non-maltreated peers (Scheeringa et al., 2004). Evaluating community-based therapeutic programs is crucial for ensuring that this vulnerable population is receiving adequate care; however, guidance on how to implement an effective evaluation of interventions continues to be limited. This paper aims to provide one example of how to design and implement a program evaluation of a therapeutic day treatment and outpatient program in a community-based agency that provides services to preschool-aged children who have been exposed to maltreatment. Researchers completed a multi-modal needs assessment of the agency's procedures (i.e., review of medical records, administration of an anonymous survey, and interviews with staff) and provided detailed recommendations for implementing a sustainable evaluation of their day treatment and outpatient programs. In collaboration with researchers, the agency implemented the recommendations; however, modifications were made overtime (e.g., decreased frequency of data collection). Several lessons were identified throughout the implementation and data collection phase of the program evaluation which may provide guidance for others interested in establishing similar evaluations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number104583
JournalChildren and Youth Services Review
Volume110
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2020

Funding

The writing of this manuscript was supported in part by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program under Grant No. 2016210612 awarded to K.J. Stone. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Keywords

  • Child maltreatment
  • Needs assessment
  • Outpatient intervention
  • Program evaluation
  • Therapeutic day treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science

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