Understanding Perceptions of Child Maltreatment Risk: A Qualitative Study of Early Head Start Home Visitors
Date
2018
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Publisher
Children and Youth Services Review
Abstract
Infants and toddlers enrolled in Early Head Start are at increased risk for child
maltreatment. Within Early Head Start, home visitors are in a unique position to identify the
families most likely to experience maltreatment by identifying characteristics and behaviors of
children, caregivers, families, and environments that are of concern. However, research has
demonstrated that home visitors are often ill-equipped to identify and address risk factors such as
parental mental health concerns, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Further, little is known
about how home visitors understand and perceive risk for maltreatment and identify vulnerable
families. The study sought to identify how Early Head Start home visitors understand
maltreatment, perceive risk for maltreatment, and work with families identified as at-risk.
Qualitative interviews exploring identification of risk for maltreatment were conducted with
fourteen Early Head Start home visitors and supervisors. Results indicate variable understanding
of maltreatment. Home visitors identified numerous factors they believe suggest elevated risk
for maltreatment and described variable approaches to working with families at risk. Findings
provide rich information about the role that home visitors play in maltreatment prevention within
Early Head Start. Directions for effectively training home visitors to engage families and deliver
program and community-based services in a manner that reduces risk for and prevents
maltreatment are discussed
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Keywords
child welfare, prevention, home visitation, head start, research
Citation
Schreier, A., McCoy, K., Flood, M. F., Wilcox, B. L., & Hansen, D. J. (2018). Understanding perceptions of child maltreatment risk: A qualitative study of Early Head Start home visitors. Children and Youth Services Review, 88, 416-425.