Evaluation of South Carolina First Steps Parents as Teachers FY 2020-2024

• In Event: Federal Goals, State Realities: What Home Visiting Evidence Reveals About State Variation in Family Outcomes

Abstract

Introduction / Background
South Carolina First Steps was designed to offer county-level support for families with young children who have identified risk factors shown to be associated with school readiness. Through First Steps’ statewide infrastructure, local partnerships receive funding and program support to offer tailored services aimed at strengthening families, improving children’s health and development, expanding access to quality early care and education, and transitioning rising kindergartners into school through selected programming, including a suite of parenting programs. Parents as Teachers (PAT) is one such prevalent parenting program implemented in 46 counties across the state.  
  
Purpose / Research Question
This paper highlights findings from an implementation and outcomes study that addressed two core questions: (1) What was the reach of PAT funded with First Steps funding? and (2) What was the impact of participating in PAT on child and family outcomes?

Methods
The focus of this evaluation was to understand the reach and impact of PAT, funded by South Carolina First Steps during fiscal years (FY) 2020 through 2024 (July 1, 2019–June 30, 2024). For descriptive analyses, we relied on administrative data from the First Steps Data Collection (FSDC) system which provided detailed information on program implementation. We used multiple state administrative data sources to examine child outcomes. For the analysis of each state administrative data source, we included PAT participants and a comparison group. To improve comparability between the two groups, we used propensity score matching to pair each PAT participant with a non-PAT child based on key characteristics (e.g., age, race, county). Using our matched sample, we used a multinomial logistic regression to examine how likely children were to experience the specific outcome of interest. 

Results / Findings
Findings showed that enrollment and participation dipped during the COVID-19 pandemic but, in the years since, most counties saw an increase in the number of families participating and the number of home visits provided. During their enrollment in PAT, most children received the required number of home visits (2 or more per month), but many did not stay enrolled long enough to experience the full potential benefits. Overall, home visiting generally improved child and family outcomes related to parenting and home environment, child maltreatment, and school readiness. However, dosage of services had a strong connection with improvement in outcomes; for children receiving a higher amount of services (e.g., 2 or more visits per month for at least 12 months), the impact on most outcomes was higher.

Conclusion / Implications
These findings add to the body of literature which suggests that understanding dosage is important in determining home visiting program effectiveness. At the crux of this issue is understanding the mechanisms through which family engagement and in turn, dosage promote positive outcomes for families and children. More work is needed to test and refine family engagement strategies by building on input from families, home visitors, and local program staff.

Author

• Sarah Crowne, Child Trends, Inc
  Presenting Author