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, 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 98 home visitors in 2020. 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 19 supervisors in 2020. The model recommends at least a bachelor’s degree for supervisors.
Where is the model implemented?
PCAP operated in 19 local agencies across 4 states in 2020. PCAP also operated outside the United States and its territories in Australia and Canada in 2020.
Families Served Through Home Visiting in 2020
Race
7% American Indian/Alaska Native
* Asian
4% Black
* Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
68% White
20% Multiple
Caregiver age
10% ≤21 years
48% 22-29 years
42% 30-44 years
<1% ≥45 years
Caregiver education
35% No HS diploma
49% HS diploma or GED
15% Some college or training
2% Bachelor's degree or higher
Ethnicity
12% Hispanic or Latino
88% Not Hispanic or Latino
Child age
48% <1 year
49% 1-2 years
2% 3-5 years
Household income
99% Low-income status
<1% Not low-income status