Pilot Implementation of two evidence based programs (SafeCare and IncredibleYears) in Child Protection Services in Gipuzkoa (Spain)

• Main Authors: Joaquín de Paul, Ignacia Arruabarrena, Silvia Indias
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2015-08-01
• Series: Psychosocial Intervention
• Online Access: http://www.copmadrid.org/webcopm/publicaciones/social/in2015v24n2a7.pdf
• ISSN: 1132-0559; 2173-4712

This paper describes the implementation process of two evidence-based programs in Gipuzko as Child Protection System (Spain): SafeCare and Incredible Years. SafeCare is a home visiting program for high-riskand neglectful families with children under 5 years. Incredible Years is a parenting skills training program for families with children between 4 to 8 years with behavior problems whose parents have significantdifficulties to manage. The paper describes the process by which public institutions responsible for child protection in Gipuzkoa decided to shift from current intervention programs towards more structured, focused, and short-term programs that have shown positive results in previous applications in other countries. Issues related to programs adaptation, selection, and training of professionals and pre- and postresults obtained in the preliminary application of SafeCare and Incredible Years to a limited set of families are presented. Finally, the next step of the implementation process (pilot implementation with a randomized control trial design) is described. The paper discusses a significant number of issues that have been important throughout this process and that may be useful for administrations and institutions that wish to undertake a similar process.