Parent-Child Assistance Program
Parent-Child Assistance Program (PCAP)’s primary goals are to help mothers with alcohol and drug use disorders achieve and maintain recovery, build healthy family lives, and prevent the births of subsequent alcohol- or drug-exposed infants. The PCAP model is based on relational theory, motivational interviewing, and harm reduction principles to build trusting relationships with mothers, help participants identify goals and take incremental steps to meet them, connect families with comprehensive community services, and enhance maternal self-efficacy.
What is the model’s approach to providing home visiting services?
Home visits take place twice per month, with a higher frequency during times of family need. Services are provided for a duration of 3 years. Families may enroll until the child is 12 months old (or 24 months when space allows), but PCAP recommends families initiate services prenatally.
PCAP’s service population includes the following:
- Families with a history of substance use or in need of treatment
- Families with low incomes
- Expectant caregivers
- Caregivers disconnected from community service providers
Who is implementing the model?
Home Visitors
PCAP was implemented by 82 home visitors in 2025. The model requires a bachelor’s degree for home visitors. The maximum caseload requirement for home visitors is 20 families.
Supervisors
PCAP was implemented by 17 supervisors in 2025. The model recommends at least a bachelor’s degree for supervisors.
Where is the model implemented?
PCAP operated in 18 local agencies across 4 states in 2025. PCAP also operated outside the United States and its territories in Australia and Canada in 2025.
Families Served Through Home Visiting in 2025
Race
8% American Indian Alaska Native
2% Asian or Pacific Islander
6% Black
73% White
12% Multiple
Ethnicity
86% Hispanic or Latino
14% Not Hispanic or Latino
Primary language
100% English
0% Spanish
0% Another language
Caregiver age
7% ≤21 years
37% 22-29 years
55% 30-44 years
<1% ≥45 years
Caregiver education
42% No HS diploma
40% HS diploma or GED
17% Some college or training
1% Bachelor's degree or higher
Household income
100% Low-income status
0% Not low-income status
Child insurance status
100% Public
0% Private
0% None