Implementing SafeCare® to address child neglect and physical abuse – An overview of international implementations

Objectives SafeCare is an evidence-based parent training program for parents of children 0 to 5 years old, targeting risk factors of child neglect and physical abuse. SafeCare is an in-home parent training program covering... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives
SafeCare is an evidence-based parent training program for parents of children 0 to 5 years old, targeting risk factors of child neglect and physical abuse. SafeCare is an in-home parent training program covering three topic areas: parent-child interactions, home safety, and child health. SafeCare is disseminated through the National SafeCare Training and Research Center based in the United States. The objectives of this presentation will be to provide an overview SafeCare, highlight the international implementations, discuss strategies used to align the model to each country’s service systems and culture, and describe international sustainability efforts.

Methods
SafeCare is implemented in seven countries: Australia, Belarus, Canada, England, Israel, Spain and United States (origination; wide-spread). Numerous providers have been trained to implement SafeCare, while a select group at each site has been trained as coaches to support providers and ensure program quality. In additional, 45 SafeCare Trainers have been trained across the US, as well as in England and Israel.

Results
We will discuss the international SafeCare implementations, what modifications were made to the program, and how challenges were identified and addressed in order to optimize the implementation and impact on families. Specifically, we will discuss modifications to the Health module and how we work with the organization to align this aspect of the program to the country’s health system. We will also discuss language and cultural modifications that typically occur to align with the country’s culture and the families who will receive SafeCare. We will also highlight the importance of planning and ongoing communication as key to initiation and long-term integration of SafeCare.

Conclusions
The purpose of this presentation is to discuss how the National SafeCare Training and Research Center works with international organizations to integrate SafeCare into its service sector, the country’s health system, and societal norms.