Implementation of evidence based programs in Child Protection Services in Gipuzkoa (Spain)

In this presentation, we will describe the implementation process of two evidence-based programs in Gipuzkoa's Child Protection System (Basque Country. Spain). The project for the pilot implementation of the SafeCare and... [ view full abstract ]

In this presentation, we will describe the implementation process of two evidence-based programs in Gipuzkoa's Child Protection System (Basque Country. Spain). The project for the pilot implementation of the SafeCare and Incredible Years programs in Gipuzkoa is the first experience in Spain promoted by Child Protection Services for the implementation and rigorous assessment of evidence-based family treatment programs for children and families.
Family preservation and reunification programs in the Basque Country Child Protection System receive a relevant amount of personal and economical resources and can be considered, with no doubts, as the better funded in Spain. However, if we analyze the efficacy and efficiency of this system of services it is difficult to have good news:
-Programs are mainly based on the provision (for every family) of home visits and psychological treatment.
-The intervention in cases of more serious abuse tends to be very prolonged in time.
-Family interventions in the most serious cases are usually carried out in very late moments of child development. Early interventions (below five years old child) are very rare.
-Family intervention programs can not be considered as structured or manualized.
-It is impossible to know effectiveness of family intervention programs. Public services and public institutions responsible for the protection of children and adolescents may not account for the effectiveness or efficiency of public resources.

We will describe the process by which public institutions responsible for child protection in Gipuzkoa decided to shift from current intervention programs towards more structured, focused, and short-term programs that have shown positive results in previous applications in other countries.
Issues related to programs adaptation, selection, and training of professionals and pre and post results obtained in the preliminary application of SafeCare and Incredible Years to a limited set of families will be presented.
Finally, the next step of the implementation process (pilot implementation with a randomized control trial design) will be described. We will discuss a significant number of issues that have been important throughout this process and that may be useful for administrations and institutions that wish to undertake a similar process.
Main conclusion: pilot implementation of SafeCare and Incredible Years only makes sense to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Child Protective Services in Gipuzkoa if could be understood as the beginning of a long process. If these programs are successful, they should be maintained, expanded and integrated into the usual services, which will face new challenges (e.g. maintenance of fidelity, training and supervision of new professionals). The process can’t finish there, and it have to continue with the gradual implementation of new evidence-based programs, trying to create an integrated system capable of responding to the different types of children and families: "an effective response to the problem of child abuse would be facilitated by a more explicit focus in creating an infrastructure supporting the most promising interventions and integrating/connecting them in ways that maximize their joint impact "(National Research Council, 2014, p. 276).
Anyone who knows the functioning of Child Protective Services in Spain and the characteristics of the relationship between municipal and specialized social services, will be agree that an experience of this kind is rare, as it is the commitment of both institutions to overcome the status quo, starting a process of real change (not merely cosmetic or unable to correct system limitations), with long-term perspective and following the path suggested by the scientific knowledge currently available: the implementation of evidence-based programs promoting early intervention.