Designing intervention programs for infants at risk: Considerations, implementation, and evaluation

Abstract

There are few syntheses of the burgeoning literature on intervention programs for high risk infants. It is the thesis of the present paper that this problem arises, in part, from lack of a suitable design and evaluative framework. Six intervention programs were selected as representatives of this field and their essential features are summarized. Building on these data, and drawing from human service administration and evaluation literataure, a model which can be used in the design, implementation and evaluation of intervention programs for infants and/or theirfamilies is then presented and discussed. It is suggested that application of this model will aid researchers, service providers and administrators involved with high‐risk infant programs by providing a framework suited to both ongoing and comprehensive evaluations.

Notes

† This paper was prepared when John Kirkland was on leave from Massey University (New Zealand) and recipient of a Claude McCarthy fellowship. It is based on a thesis submitted by Katherine Dickin in partial fulfillment for the B.A.Sc. degree, University of Guelph. Requests for reprints should be sent to Margaret McKim, Department of Family Studies, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John Kirkland†

† This paper was prepared when John Kirkland was on leave from Massey University (New Zealand) and recipient of a Claude McCarthy fellowship. It is based on a thesis submitted by Katherine Dickin in partial fulfillment for the B.A.Sc. degree, University of Guelph. Requests for reprints should be sent to Margaret McKim, Department of Family Studies, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1.