SafeCare program reports strong outcomes for vulnerable families

The Colorado Department of Human Services announced that Colorado families who completed the SafeCare Colorado program were significantly less likely to have an open child welfare case six months after completion when compared to similar Colorado families, according to a preliminary evaluation of the program. Parents and caregivers reported high satisfaction and improved skills upon completion of the program.

SafeCare Colorado is a flexible, free and voluntary in-home parent support program for at-risk families with children ages 5 and younger. SafeCare Colorado helps parents and caregivers build on their existing skills in the areas of home safety, child health and parent-child or parent-infant interactions.

SafeCare Colorado depends on partners in the community to help identify families in need of parent support services, as well as child welfare departments and self-referrals.

Baby Bear Hugs, which serves Phillips County and other counties in northeast Colorado, offers the SafeCare Colorado program.

“We know parenting can be both wonderful and stressful. SafeCare Colorado teaches parents and caregivers ways to keep their children healthy, safe and happy.” said Julia Blomberg, SafeCare Colorado program manager at CDHS. “This program provides critical emotional and social support to a vulnerable population, helping set parents and their children on the path to success.”

SafeCare Colorado is one piece of Gov. John Hickenlooper’s multi-faceted approach to child welfare called “Keeping Kids Safe and Families Healthy 2.0.” It was implemented as a three-year pilot program beginning in 2013.
 

The full article is available in our e-Edition. Click here to subscribe.