ParentChild+® Core Model

Last updated: 2019

In brief

Evidence of model effectiveness

This model does not meet the criteria established by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for an “evidence-based early childhood home visiting service delivery model” for the general population or for tribal populations because the findings from high- or moderate-rated effectiveness studies of the model do not meet all required criteria.

Note: This model has favorable effects in two different outcome domains, but these effects were not found in the same study sample as required by HHS criteria. The model also has two favorable effects in the same outcome domain, but these effects were not found in separate study samples as required by HHS criteria. Therefore, the model does not meet HHS criteria for evidence-based models.

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Model description

ParentChild+ (formerly the Parent-Child Home Program) focuses on promoting children’s social-emotional development and cognitive competencies by increasing and enhancing the quantity and quality of caregiver-child verbal and non-verbal interaction. ParentChild+ can be used one-on-one with parents and with family child care providers responsible for group care. The HomVEE review is based on the ParentChild+ Core Model, the version of ParentChild+ used with parents in the home. The ParentChild+ Core Model is designed for families with 2- to 3-year-old children and a variety of risk factors—such as parents with low levels of education and teen mothers. Families participate in 92 home visits over 46 weeks. The 46-week program is divided into two cycles of twice weekly visits over 23 weeks each to provide program sites flexibility in terms of how they implement the entire 46 weeks of programming. Home visitors model behaviors for enhancing children’s development, rather than directly instructing parents, and provide books, toys, and activities for parents to use with their children. Home visitors also provide referrals to social supports and educational services. For more information, please read the Model Overview

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Extent of evidence

Results of search and review
Number of manuscripts
At least one finding was eligible for review…
16
  …and at least one finding rated high
3
  …and at least one finding rated moderate (but none rated high)
0
  …and all findings that were eligible for review rated low
9
  …but manuscript is additional source1
4

1Additional sources have findings or details that perfectly overlap with another manuscript and are not rated.

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

To see details on each finding HomVEE reviewed in well-designed research, click on the name of an outcome domain in the tables below. Findings rated low quality by HomVEE are not summarized here.

Outcomes
Findings

Outcome Child Development and School Readiness

Findings:
Favorable: 2
No effect: 13
Unfavorable or ambiguous: 0

Outcome Child Health

Not measured

Outcome Family Economic Self-Sufficiency

Not measured

Outcome Linkages and Referrals

Not measured

Outcome Maternal Health

Not measured

Outcome Positive Parenting Practices

Findings:
Favorable: 1
No effect: 2
Unfavorable or ambiguous: 0

Outcome Reductions in Child Maltreatment

Not measured

Outcome Reductions in Juvenile Delinquency, Family Violence, and Crime

Not measured

The section above focuses on findings from the full sample in a study. Subgroups that have been replicated in distinct samples also have findings reported above. HomVEE does not report the findings of non-replicated subgroups. Beginning with research reviewed in 2021, however, HomVEE, lists those subgroups on the details page of each manuscript that had at least one finding that rated moderate or high.

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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?No
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.		Yes

Notes: If the model does not meet criterion 3 but meets criteria 1 and 2 based on findings from subgroups, the impacts must be replicated in the same domain in two or more studies using non-overlapping analytic study samples. HomVEE assesses and reports criteria 4 and 5 for all models that have well-designed research, but meeting those two criteria is only required of models for which all findings are from randomized controlled trials. Please read the HHS criteria for evidence-based models for more information.

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