Intervention with high-risk alcohol and drug-abusing mothers: II. Three-year findings from the Seattle model of paraprofessional advocacy

Abstract

We examine the efficacy of a paraprofessional advocacy program for improving health and social outcomes of high-risk substance-abusing mothers and their children. This intervention included 3 years of home visitation, advocacy, and connection with appropriate community services. To assess the overall effectiveness of the model, clients were compared to concurrently enrolled controls on a composite variable comprised of indicators of alcohol/drug treatment, abstinence, family planning, child well-being, and connection to services. Clients obtained higher scores, on average, than controls on the composite variable—as well as on every indicator. Clients who spent more time with advocates had more positive outcomes. Results suggest that this paraprofessional advocacy model can help protect the safety of the children of substance-abusing mothers, while helping mothers take the steps they need to take in order to make fundamental changes in their lives. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.