Implementation of SEEK in a Children’s Advocacy Center: A Process Improvement Initiative
| dc.contributor.author | Letson, M. M., Brink, F. W., Daniels, A., Thompson, S., Wolf, K. G., & Michaels, N. L. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2022-07-18T19:06:38Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2022-07-18T19:06:38Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2022 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Risk factors for child maltreatment are well-described, but clinicians may overlook these risk factors. The Safe Environment for Every Kid (SEEK) model is an evidence-based approach to identifying psychosocial risk factors for child maltreatment. This article describes a quality improvement initiative to implement the SEEK model in a unique pediatric setting, a Children’s Advocacy Center. Methods: The objectives were to (1) describe the identification of psychosocial risk factors for child maltreatment by implementing the SEEK screening tool with each new family, (2) achieve and sustain a SEEK completion rate of greater than 85%, and (3) achieve and sustain a SEEK follow-up compliance rate of greater than 75%. Structured quality improvement methods, including several plan-do-study-act cycles, were used to implement interventions. Results: The percentage of caregivers who completed the SEEK questionnaire increased from a baseline of 76% to 86%, which was sustained for more than 2 years, resulting in a better understanding and support of families’ needs. Caregivers completed 3,606 SEEK Parent Questionnaire-R. Mental health concerns and food insecurity were among the most commonly endorsed items. Follow-up compliance increased from 47% to 90%, a level that has been maintained. Conclusions: While Children’s Advocacy Centers evaluate children with suspected abuse, identifying current stressors in the home and linking families with resources to address their immediate psychosocial concerns can improve short- and long-term outcomes. This initiative demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating consistent screening for psychosocial risk factors for child maltreatment in this busy environment. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.citation | Letson, M. M., Brink, F. W., Daniels, A., Thompson, S., Wolf, K. G., & Michaels, N. L. (2022). Implementation of SEEK in a Children’s Advocacy Center: A Process Improvement Initiative. Pediatric Quality & Safety, 7(4). | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9225585/ | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11212/5502 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Pediatric Quality & Safety | en_US |
| dc.subject | Children's Advocacy Center | en_US |
| dc.subject | risk factors | en_US |
| dc.subject | child maltreatment | en_US |
| dc.subject | screening | en_US |
| dc.title | Implementation of SEEK in a Children’s Advocacy Center: A Process Improvement Initiative | en_US |
| dc.type | Article | en_US |