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EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Indicators for Quality Programs:

Clinicians and researchers have suggested that high-quality programs that address maternal depression should endeavor to have certain elements. Programs addressing parental stress might also consider these elements:

  • Skilled staff, trained to identify depression
  • Support for that staff: reflective supervision and information/referral resources
  • Partnerships with other agencies, public and community-based
  • Culturally appropriate services
  • Connection with families as early as possible
  • Attention paid to the whole family, including fathers
  • Screening and services provided for all the risk factors in the mother’s/father’s life, not just his/her depression

BVF also believes the following characteristics to be indicators of quality programs:

  • Integrating program services which are being delivered separately or by other agencies
  • Collecting and using data to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of services and using that data to improve services and programs