Evidence-Based Parenting Programs for Maltreating Parents: Views of Child Protective Services Caseworkers

Evidence based programs (EBPs) show great promise in reducing rates of recidivism in parents who have maltreated their child. Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers play a critical role in routing parents to such interventions, when available. However, caseworkers are often unfamiliar with EBPs, potentially impacting their likelihood of referring parents to these services. Focus groups were conducted to explore caseworker views of an EBP. Results suggested that caseworkers generally saw the program as a poor fit to the needs of maltreating families, particularly with respect to case complexities and cultural sensitivity, and when caseworkers were less familiar with the EBP.