Do intensive specialized services prevent family separation in parents with intellectual disabilities? A treatment effects analysis

ABSTRACT

The current study explores the effectiveness of Project IMPACT, an intensive, in-home, skills-based positive parenting program designed to prevent out-of-home placement for parents with intellectual disabilities. Families participating in Project IMPACT were compared with families in a similar jurisdiction who participated in non-specialized family preservation services using treatment effects analysis. Findings indicate that Project IMPACT is highly effective at keeping families intact. Project IMPACT reduces family separation throughout childhood, the most benefits are seen in early childhood, when the risk of family separation is generally the greatest. Parents with intellectual disability can learn skills to keep children safe at home.

KEYWORDS:

• Intellectual disability
• treatment effects
• parenting skills
• child welfare
• foster care

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15548732.2024.2382261

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [R03HD110761].

Notes on contributors

Wendy Zeitlin

Dr. Wendy Zeitlin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy at Montclair State University. Her research focuses on public health social work, particularly in the area of disability and historically underserved populations.

Astraea Augsberger

Dr. Astraea Augsberger is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Doctoral Education and Boston University School of Social Work. Her research focuses on child welfare policy and programs, health equity, and community engaged research.

Trupti Rao

Dr. Trupti Rao is the Director of Child Welfare Services and Psychology Training at Westchester Institute for Human Development. Her research focuses interests on the intersection of developmental disability and child welfare, as well as the needs of parents with intellectual disabilities.