Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) Program Meets HHS Criteria

Model effectiveness research report last updated: 2015

In brief

Evidence of model effectiveness

Title General population Tribal population Domains with favorable effects
Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) Program Yes, Meets HHS Criteria Meets HHS criteria Does not meet HHS criteria for tribal population because the model has not been evaluated with a tribal population.
  • Child health,
  • Family economic self-sufficiency,
  • Maternal health,
  • Reductions in child maltreatment,

Model description

HANDS is a voluntary home visiting program designed to prevent child maltreatment, improve family functioning, facilitate positive pregnancy and child health outcomes, and maximize child growth and development. The program targets first-time pregnant mothers or parents with children up to 3 months old, who have multiple challenges, such as single parenthood, low income, substance abuse problems, or being victims of abuse or domestic violence. A trained paraprofessional or professional home visitor, such as a social worker, conducts prenatal and postnatal home visits with parents; provides parenting information, problem solving techniques, parenting skill development; and addresses basic needs. The level of services offered to families varies and is based on the needs of the family and the pace at which they progress through the program. 

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Extent of evidence

Results of search and review
Number of manuscripts
At least one finding was eligible for review…
10
  …and at least one finding rated high
0
  …and at least one finding rated moderate (but none rated high)
4
  …and all findings that were eligible for review rated low or indeterminate2
4
  …but manuscript is additional source3
2

For more information, see the research database. For more information on the criteria used to rate research, please see details of HomVEE’s methods and standards.

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Summary of findings

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Criteria established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Information based on comprehensive review of all high- and moderate-rated manuscripts
CriterionCriterion descriptionCriterion met?
1High- or moderate-quality impact study?Yes
2Across high- or moderate-quality studies, favorable impacts in at least two outcome domains within one sample OR the same domain for at least two non-overlapping samples?Yes
3Favorable impacts on full sample?Yes
4Any favorable impacts on outcome measures sustained at least 12 months after model enrollment?
Reported for all research but only required for RCTs.
Yes
5One or more favorable, statistically significant impact reported in a peer-reviewed journal?
Reported for all research but only required for RCTs.
No
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