Evaluation of the Betty Ford Children's Program

ABSTRACT

This article reports on a program evaluation of the Betty Ford Center Children's Program, a program specifically designed for the children of substance abusers. Approximately 160 participating children (aged 7–12) were evaluated at pretest and posttest using a comprehensive psychological battery; a subsample of 50 children participated in a follow-up telephone interview 6 months later. Results showed that children of substance abusers benefit from brief, intensive program efforts that serve their special circumstances and highlight the important role social workers and other clinicians have in helping children reevaluate how they are impacted by their parent's addiction.

KEYWORDS:

• Children of substance abusers (COSAPs)
• intervention
• program evaluation

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the Betty Ford Center, the children and parents who so willingly gave their time, and the excellent research support of Juanita Leonard.