These two studies investigated maternal engagement and retention in a voluntary, home-visiting program. The program screened families at the birth of their first child for risk characteristics associated with poor child and family outcomes. Higher risk families were offered regular home visits and support for up to 5 years. In the first study, a two-level hierarchical general linear model (HGLM) was used to examine the impact of poor community health and maternal isolation on mother's active engagement in the program, following initial enrollment. Data came from 4,057 mothers with firstborn infants, who enrolled in the Oregon Healthy Start (OHS) home-visiting program from 1995 through 1998. At the time of this study OHS was operating in 15 Oregon counties. Results showed that living in a county characterized by poor community health, or maternal isolation from supportive family and friendship networks, significantly reduced the likelihood of mothers actively engaging in home visits after enrollment. Hispanic mothers were significantly more likely to engage in services than mothers of other ethnicities. In the second study, a three-level hierarchical general linear model (HGLM) was used to investigate the impact of community violence, home visitor attributes, and maternal attributes on maternal retention in the OHS home-visiting program. Data came from 1,093 mothers with firstborn infants, served by 71 home visitors, residing in 12 communities being served by the OHS program prior to February 2000. Results showed that mothers who lived in communities that displayed higher levels of community violence were less likely to remain in the OHS program. Mothers were more likely to remain in the program when served by home visitors who received more active supervision. Mothers who were older were more likely to remain in the OHS program than were younger mothers. Hispanic mothers were more likely to remain in the OHS program than were mothers of other ethnic groups. Each study presents the implications for programmatic application. / Graduation date: 2002

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Marriage, Family and Human Development, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 44-50).

Thesis (M.A.)--Marshall University, 2001. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains iv, 52 p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 51-52).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Tufts University, 2003. / Adviser: Jayanthi Mistry. Submitted to the Dept. of Child Development. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 178-202). Access restricted to members of the Tufts University community. Also available via the World Wide Web;

Thesis (Ed. D.)--West Virginia University, 2008. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 212 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 200-204).

The outcomes of a child protection/family support programme, the Cottage Community Care Pilot Project, were evaluated in this study. The evaluation employed a non-equivalent comparison group design of 'at risk' consenting first-time mothers in the perinatal period with babies up to 6 weeks of age. Ninety-three families were recruited and 58 of these were matched with a trained volunteer home visitor. Analysis of assessment items and questionnaires, reviews of hospital records and the Department of Community Services Child abuse and neglect notification register and focus groups with mothers and volunteers provided the information used in this study. The CCCP had an impact on particular aspects of family function, certain infant and maternal health indices and the families' use of community services, but its contribution to reducing the incidence of child abuse and neglect is less clear. Client and volunteer feedback indicated support for the programme. While home visitation by trained volunteers is not proposed as the total answer for effective child protection or family support, the findings of this evaluation suggest that there is a place for similar programmes. / Master of Science (Hons)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Delaware, 2006. / Principal faculty advisor: Donald G. Unger, Dept. of Individual & Family Studies. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 196-199). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 196-199). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, 2010. / Title from screen (viewed on March 3, 2010). School of Social Work, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Advisor(s): Margaret E. Adamek, Carol Hostetter, Gail M. Folaron, Angela B. McBride. Includes vitae. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-160).