The purpose of this project was to interview mothers of newborns who participated in early intervention services focusing on the implementation of a tool developed at the Family, Infant and Preschool Program (FIPP) in North Carolina. The intent was to examine the experience of mothers and home visitors employing the tool, which was designed to enhance the mother/infant relationship. However, a stronger focus on the relationship between mother and home visitor emerged throughout the interviews. Among some participants the relationship among practitioner and parent appeared to create a safe space to share, practice strategies and grow. Although characteristics of FIPP practices associated with the tool remained consistent among home visitors, the way in which services were implemented were unique to each home visitor and parent. Mothers participating in the project were identified as coping with numerous life stressors associated with poverty at the time of the interviews.

Academic and Clinical Partnerships have the potential to positively impact student learning and outcomes and are part of the recommendations from PTE21 study. As academic and clinical partnerships move forward to design and implement changes, preparing the next generation of physical therapists, both process and outcome evaluations must be incorporated in the planning. This interactive session will explore an example for working together in partnership between hospital and classroom. This example will focus on a joint collaboration with an academic and clinical partnership developing a clinical pathway at the hospital in conjunction with development of a specialty pediatrics course surrounding NICU and prematurity. A combination of lecture and small group discussion will be used for both entry-level and post-professional training and attendees will leave with concrete examples of how to implement in their communities.

Early detection facilitates early intervention (EI), which optimizes outcomes in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental delays. However, facilitating the transition between receiving a diagnosis of ASD and other delays and accessing care has received little attention. When families first receive a diagnosis, they often experience grief, confusion, heightened stress, and difficulty accessing appropriate and affordable services, further increasing the disadvantages and disparity experienced by underrepresented populations. This feasibility study will focus on ways providers can better facilitate access to EI services for families following an initial diagnosis. Forty-nine diverse parents with children (16-32 m) diagnosed with ASD and other developmental delays were recruited from a larger screening study. During feedback, all families were provided with a provider list (treatment as usual) of therapeutic services. Half of the families were randomly assigned to receive a DVD/ Youtube Link (treatment plus video) that describes the diagnosis as well as common therapeutic options for children with developmental delays. Parents were asked questions regarding their use of materials (video vs. provider list) following feedback and their ability to access EI services. Study retention, demand and satisfaction were assessed to evaluate the use of video recommendations and the provider list. Demand, satisfaction and completion rates were assessed to evaluate the use of video recommendations as a feasible intervention following diagnosis. Additionally, differences in post measures of parental sense of competence, parental stress and access to the EI system were used to assess the potential efficacy of the intervention. Seventy- five percent of parents (across both treatment groups) used the provider list, whereas only 29% of parents who were randomized to the video condition reported that they viewed the video recommendations. Qualitative reactions from parents in the current investigation suggest a need for interdisciplinary care and coordination between mothers. Challenges to delivering a brief intervention following diagnosis are explored.

Early intervention services are important in obtaining better outcomes for infants with a developmental delay or a condition that may result in a delay. In Florida, a primary resource for providing these services is the Early Steps Program. This study analyzed the Early Steps referral process to identify barriers to prompt access. The guiding hypothesis was if differences exist in key outcomes of the referral process, then these differences may reveal where improvements can be made. Improving access to early intervention should produce better outcomes and reduce the costs of services required later by addressing developmental concerns earlier. The dataset included records for 10,688 infants referred to the Hillsborough County Early Steps Program between 2006 and 2009. Two measures (age at referral and time to IFSP) represented points within the referral process where delays could be quantified. Age at referral is a measure of how long it takes for a delay to be identified and the infant referred for evaluation. The time from the referral to the date an IFSP is created provides a measure of the delay in beginning services. Delays in obtaining a referral were associated with being referred by a family member, the referral code Developmental Delay At Risk and barrier codes Child/Family Issues and No Show/Unsuccessful Contact. Delays in completing the IFSP were related to being younger at referral, being referred by one of the sources that made less frequent referrals to Early Steps, an eligibility determination related to behavior concerns, maternal education that stopped at grade 8 or below and being Black.

This study was influenced by the circumstances of children in need of care and protection. I conducted the study through a lens that takes the perspectives of “family life” seriously. Section 28(1)(b) of South Africa’s Constitution provides for the right to family care, parental care, or appropriate alternative care to a child who is removed from family life. This provision prioritises the nurturing and development of children in families. South Africa has a diversity of family models which provide family or parental care to children. Children also face various challenges and difficulties in the family environment, such as abuse, neglect, poverty, exploitation, and other traumatic experiences which make them more vulnerable and in need of care and protection. These circumstances are identified as grounds for mandatory intervention and often influence the decision by the children’s court to remove children. The study demonstrates how family care, parental care, or appropriate alternative care are provided in South Africa’s Children’s Act, enforced by the judiciary, and have evolved in practice. Unfortunately, the Children’s Act does not explicitly provide for families, family care and the responsibility of the state to assist families to enable them to function optimally. Government and stakeholders therefore lack guidance in their engagement with the family to address the plight of children in families or raise the quality of life of the family on a continuous basis. The social worker who conducts investigations into the circumstances of the child who is in need of care and protection, must facilitate the provision of prevention and early intervention services with a view to strengthening the family. Unfortunately, social workers sometimes abuse their powers by removing children without prioritising the support needed to keep them in families. Furthermore, the state’s assistance in supporting families may be challenging due to resource constraints, underspending on the state budget, and delay in the delivery of services. Before the children’s court decides to remove the child into alternative care it must, upon identifying a specific ground for mandatory alternative care intervention, conduct an investigation and hold an inquiry regarding the circumstances of the child. The parent and the child must have access to information and participate in the decision-making process. Once the decision to remove the child is reached, the children’s court can opt for different alternative care options. It is crucial to decide on alternative care of a nature and quality that resembles family life. Such care must enable the child and the parent to mutually enjoy each other’s company, as this is an essential element of family life. Thus, the state must put measures in place to ensure that the child establishes contact and has a continuous relationship with family members in view of possible reunification with the family. Alternative care must also provide permanency planning which must explore the option of reuniting the child with his or her family after removal, or adoption if reunification efforts fail. Although adoption is preferred upon failure of reunification efforts, it is challenged by policy and practice which, if not carefully considered, may impact on the right of the child to family life. South Africa has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and is bound to develop its policies in line with the CRC. It is an issue of concern as to whether the implementation of the Children’s Act goes far enough in meeting CRC standards or complying with the Constitution. Thus, the study is means of comparative research, which includes international standards and foreign jurisdictions, with the view of suggesting improvements for South African child legislation. Recommendations for the best possible options towards refining the Children’s Act are made. The proposed provisions could advance the reform of child and family services and thus make a difference in the lives of children in families. / Thesis (LLD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / gm2013 / Private Law / unrestricted

Many South African families are beset by social, psychological and economic challenges placing children at risk. Family preservation services, capitalising on families’ strengths to resolve their problems, are crucial to avoid the removal of children from their homes. Using a qualitative approach, this study reveals the experiences and perceptions of twelve social workers providing family preservation services in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan of Gauteng Province. These social workers articulate their understanding of and experiences with the Children’s Act (Act No. 38) of 2005. They are generally optimistic that family preservation services can offer a helping process with the potential to improve family functioning. Nevertheless, there are stumbling blocks to effective service delivery, such as the kinds of social problems experienced by families, lack of funding, high caseloads, lack of resources and little co-operation from other disciplines and agencies. Based on these findings, recommendations are made for practice, policy and further research. / Social Work / MA (Social Work)

Teenage pregnancy is a global problem and its prevalence in South Africa poses a serious concern to the government, health workers, parents, teachers, communities, and social workers in particular. As such, social work services are crucial in assisting pregnant teenagers to be self-reliant. Social workers employ three primary methods of social work practice when providing services to pregnant teenagers, namely casework, group work, and community work. This study sought to explore social work services for pregnant teenagers. A qualitative research method using an exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research design was employed to gather data from 12 social workers working in both rural and urban settings in the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was used to select a sample. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews, consisting of a list of open-ended questions included in an interview guide. Data was also analysed following Tesch eight steps while Lincoln and Guba’s model was used for data verification. There are several stumbling blocks to effective service delivery, such as complex social problems experienced by pregnant teenagers, lack of formal and informal support, high caseloads, lack of resources, and little cooperation from other disciplines and agencies. Based on these findings, recommendations are made for education, practice, policy, and further research in an attempt to provide solutions to these challenges. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science)

Many South African families are beset by social, psychological and economic challenges placing children at risk. Family preservation services, capitalising on families’ strengths to resolve their problems, are crucial to avoid the removal of children from their homes. Using a qualitative approach, this study reveals the experiences and perceptions of twelve social workers providing family preservation services in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan of Gauteng Province. These social workers articulate their understanding of and experiences with the Children’s Act (Act No. 38) of 2005. They are generally optimistic that family preservation services can offer a helping process with the potential to improve family functioning. Nevertheless, there are stumbling blocks to effective service delivery, such as the kinds of social problems experienced by families, lack of funding, high caseloads, lack of resources and little co-operation from other disciplines and agencies. Based on these findings, recommendations are made for practice, policy and further research. / Social Work / M. A. (Social Work)