Brighter Futures Early Intervention Program: Interim Evaluation Report, May 2009

Abstract

This report presents interim findings of the longitudinal evaluation of the Brighter Futures program. Brighter Futures is a voluntary, multi-component early intervention program that provides intensive support and services to vulnerable families with young children. The aim of the program is to halt the progression of participant families through the child protection system. The interim findings presented here are based upon analysis of a range of quantitative and qualitative data sources. These include the Minimum Data Set (MDS) - a universal data file containing details of all risk-of-harm reports for children in the program, and data from Family Surveys completed by participant families up to 30 June 2008. In addition, analysis is presented from a first round of interviews conducted with client families (n=45) and a range of key stakeholders (n=48) including caseworkers, casework managers, early-childhood facilitators, team leaders, area coordinators and some senior executive staff.