The Family Support Program Outcome Survey measures how well Family Support Centers address family needs and increase protective factors that help prevent child abuse and neglect. Questions focus on proven prevention strategies such as reducing stress, building support networks, and increasing parental confidence.
The survey was developed and tested by the FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention. Close to 600 Allegheny County families completed the survey in the summer of 2011.
Parents were asked to think back on their lives before Family Support and compare that time to the present, evaluating their social supports and confidence in themselves at both time periods. Parents indicated that their lives had improved in all areas after Family Support intervention. They rated themselves higher on statements such as, “I have relationships with people who provide me with support when I need it” and “I know who to contact in the community when I need help.” Both those statements are about increased social supports, a known protective factor.
This chart displays the full results of the questions on pre/post skills (click on chart to enlarge):
Parents were also asked about programming, staff, and the role of parent input at their Centers. Their answers were overwhelmingly positive. 94% and 93%, respectively, strongly agreed or agreed to these statements: “My ideas and opinions are welcomed and included in the program” and “This program has helped me improve my parenting skills.” Additionally, 89% of parents strongly agreed or agreed that Family Support had “helped (them) reduce the stress in (their) life.”
Here are the full results (click on any question to enlarge):
Parents also answered open-ended questions. Some of their responses follow.
When asked what they like most about Family Support, parents said…
“Strong supportive staff”
“The family center helped me so much when I needed food and was about to get evicted.”
“I like the fact that this program helps you when you don’t have anyone in your corner to help you, especially when you don’t know where to start, or how to get started. Sometimes you need a push, and they help you.”
“I love the way the [home] visits go. I love the way they do his assessments and work around my schedule. It seems as though the staff really cares about the children and respects the parents.”
“I like that they help my children get ready for school – not only academically, but by providing social opportunities for them to be with other kids.”
If being in Family Support gave parents more confidence, they said that what helped the most was…
“Just being around other parents and their kids and knowing that I’m not alone.”
“My children and I spend more time together by doing crafts and playful things.”
“The center has helped me to become an advocate for my special needs children.”
“Knowing about my child’s development, learning how to teach her new things.”
And if being in the program did not increase parents’ confidence, they were asked what Family Support could do differently to help them feel more confident. Parents responded…
“Nothing. I have always felt confident as a father.”
“Because I suffer from depression, I am not able to attend out of home programs. So I need more in house programs.”
“My issues are financial.”
Finally, when asked what suggestions they have for program improvement, parents said…
“More parent council meetings.”
“Making evening activities 6-8 to allow for parents working until 5 to attend.”
“Longer hours if possible. Keep it going, don’t stop.”
“More transportation.”
