First Years Project
Research on home visitation has found that many participating families struggle to remain in the program for the full length of service. In addition, maintaining a fixed schedule of home visits can be equally challenging. We know little about how best to support families in their efforts to remain in home visitation programs over a lengthy period of time.
As part of what we do at Every Child Succeeds, we are committed to finding ways to make our program better so that we can provide the best possible service to the mothers and babies we serve. Given that our best information comes from families enrolled in our program, we are conducting a study to address the issues of retention and program adherence.
The First Years Project is a four year research study funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. The investigative team includes Drs. Robert T. Ammerman, Frank W. Putnam, Janice M. Dyehouse (University of Cincinnati College of Nursing), Mekibib Altaye, and Jack Stevens (Columbus Children's Hospital).
The First Years Project has two objectives. First, we are measuring the reasons why and how families stick with home visitation over the first 18 months of service, and why some leave prematurely. Second, we're conducting a randomized clinical trial of motivational enrichment to support families to fully participate in the program. Motivation enrichment is client-centered approach that focuses on increasing motivation and commitment to change. Some mothers receive this augmented intervention, while others receive home visitation as it typically occurs.
At the end of the study, we anticipate understanding why families join, remain, and leave home visitation programs. We will also be able to determine if motivational enrichment helps families maintain their commitment to the program over time. Together, these findings should inform home visitation programs about how to best structure their interventions to best meet the needs of mothers and children.
