Project 12-ways

Note: The Project 12-ways program was not responsive to the CEBC's request for information about their program. The following information was obtained from publicly available sources(websites, articles, etc.).

Scientific Rating:
4
Effectiveness Unknown
See scale of 1-6

Relevance to Child Welfare Rating:
1
High
See scale of 1-3

Child Welfare Outcomes: None indicated.

Brief Description:

Project 12-ways has been rated by the CEBC in the area of Interventions for Neglect. Project 12-ways is a comprehensive program aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect. Families are referred to the program through the Illinois Department of Child Abuse and Neglect. Participating families receive training in parent-child interaction, structuring daily routines, health maintenance and nutrition, stress reduction, home safety and cleanliness, infant care and development, teaching basic childhood skills, problem solving, and money management. Parents also receive self-esteem and assertiveness training in resolving conflicts in a positive way. Assistance in obtaining employment and access to community services is also provided. Project 12-ways is the precursor to Project SafeCare, which is also listed under this topic area.

Manual and Training section:
The publicly available information indicates that there is some training available for Project 12-ways, please contact Dr. Brandon F. Greene at 618-453-8278

Relevant Research:
The practice lacks adequate published, peer-reviewed research to meet CEBC criteria for scientific ratings 3 to 1; however it was identified by the topical expert as a program being used in this area, or it is being marketed and/or used in California with child receiving services from child welfare or related systems and their parents/caregivers. Some programs may have some published, peer-reviewed research that does not meet CEBC criteria for Ratings 3 to 1 or may have other studies that have not yet been published in the peer-reviewed literature.

Lutzker, J., & Rice, J.M. (1987). Using recidivism data to evaluation project 12-ways: An ecobehavioral approach to the treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect. Journal of Family Violence, 2(4), 283-290.

Type of Study: Non-matched comparison group
Number of participants: 352 intervention families, 358 comparison group families
Population:
Age Range: Not given
Race/Ethnicity: Not given
Status (e.g., foster care, CW): Families who are currently or have been referred to Child Welfare services.
Location/Institution: Illinois

Summary: (To include comparison groups, outcomes, measures, notable limitations) Families who had received the Project 12-ways intervention were compared to families in the Illinois State Central register of referrals for child and abuse and neglect who had not received the intervention. With the exception of one comparison year in which they were equivalent, recidivism rates were significantly lower for 12-ways families than for those who had not received the intervention. The authors note that the size of the difference does grow smaller as the time from completion of the intervention increases, suggesting that a program of "booster services" may be necessary to maintain the best effect.

Length of post-intervention follow-up: 1, 2, and 3 years.

Wesch, D., & Lutzker, J.R. (1991). A comprehensive 5-year evaluation of project 12-ways: An ecobehavioral program for treating and preventing child abuse and neglect. Journal of Family Violence, 6(1), 17-35.

Type of Study: Non-matched comparison group
Number of participants: 232 Intervention families, 232 comparison group families.
Population:
Age Range: None given
Race/Ethnicity: 89% White, 11% Black, remainder (3 families) American Indian or Asian.
Status (e.g., foster care, CW): Families referred to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS)
Location/Institution: Illinois

Summary: (To include comparison groups, outcomes, measures, notable limitations) Families receiving Project 12-ways services were compared to families receiving routing IDCFS services. Samples were largely equivalent, but differed in reason for initial referral: More 12-ways families were first referred for abuse, neglect or sexual abuse than were comparison families. Groups were compared on rates of reported child abuse and neglect, placement of children outside the home, and termination of parental rights. Analysis showed that both groups experienced declines in rates on the measured variables. 12-ways families showed a significantly larger drop in abuse levels during treatment. These families also showed a constant rate of recidivism across conditions, while the comparison group showed an increase.

Length of post-intervention follow-up: None

References:
Lutzker, J. R., Bigelow, K. M., Doctor, R. M., Gershater, R. M., & Greene, B. F. (1998). An ecobehavioral model for the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. In J. R. Lutzker (Ed.), Handbook of child abuse research and treatment (pp. 239-266). New York, NY: Plenum.

Contact Information:
Name: Dr. Brandon F. Greene
Affiliation/Agency: Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Phone: (618) 453-8278
E-mail:bfgreene@siu.edu
Website: http://www.p12ways.siu.edu/

Date review compiled: April 2008