Preventing Subsequent Child Maltreatment and Out-of-Home Care Placement: The Effect of the Coordination, Advocacy, Resources, Education, and Support (C.A.R.E.S.) Intervention

Abstract

Coordination, Advocacy, Resources, Education, and Support (C.A.R.E.S.) is a community-based, family-driven intervention designed to reduce recurrence of child maltreatment, placement in out-of-home care, and chronic involvement with the child welfare system. Two studies utilizing a longitudinal quasi-experimental design with propensity score matching and a two-group comparison examined the impact of C.A.R.E.S. on child safety, permanency, and parental well-being. Findings indicated that caregivers who received C.A.R.E.S. services were at significantly lower risk of new child maltreatment allegations, recurrence of verified maltreatment, and placement of their child in out-of-home care. No significant differences were found in permanency and reunification outcomes. The results also demonstrated significant improvements over time in the areas of intellectual ability, emotional self-care, and capacity to manage identified safety threats.