Implementing Child Parent Enrichment Project (CPEP)

Child Parent Enrichment Project (CPEP) was based on the theory that enhancing mother-child relationships, social and material support, goal setting, and problem solving can reduce the risk of child abuse. Positive mother-child relationships were seen as a byproduct of a healthy pregnancy and labor, an overall feeling of wanting the child, and knowing that caring for the child will be manageable. Having the emotional, informational, and material resources that often accompany a social support network were thought to lessen the risk of child maltreatment. The ability to set goals and solve problems could help parents manage the difficulties of infant caregiving. Implementation of CPEP was based on a task-centered approach in which parents identified and completed tasks to achieve their goals.

CPEP was developed as a child abuse-prevention pilot program by Richard Barth at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Social Welfare and offered through a nonprofit community-based organization. Implementation support was available through the developer.

CPEP targeted pregnant women at risk for child abuse. Mothers were eligible for referral to the program if they exhibited two or more risk factors on a nine-item checklist, although community professionals had considerable discretion when making referrals. The checklist included underuse of needed community services; a criminal or mental illness record; mother previously suspected of abuse; low self-esteem; chaotic lifestyle; lack of social support from father or family; low intelligence or poor health of mother; unplanned or unwanted pregnancy; and previous or ongoing abuse of mother.

CPEP aimed to reduce the stressors that can contribute to child abuse, promote good parenting, and ultimately reduce child abuse.

CPEP services consisted of home visits with paraprofessional parenting consultants. During home visits, consultants and parents discussed tasks associated with the parent’s goals for caring for herself and the child and recorded tasks that had been performed. Tasks could be completed during or between home visits, and in the parent’s home or within the community. There were three types of tasks: parent-focused, consultant-focused, and shared. Parent-focused tasks were completed by the parents alone and could include preparing one clean room for the baby to come home to; visiting a thrift shop to obtain a crib; visiting the labor room; and using a respite care program one-half day per week after the child is born. Tasks led by parenting consultants, either during or between visits, included modeling positive parenting and home care skills; advocating on a client’s behalf; and discussing the care of a colicky baby. Typical joint tasks were driving together to a church to pick up food and repairing an appliance together.

Home visits occurred approximately twice per month over a six-month period.

CPEP was implemented in Contra Costa County, California.

No adaptations or enhancements were made to CPEP.

The information contained on this page was last updated in April 2012. In addition, the information contained in this profile was reviewed for accuracy by Dr. Barth in April 2012. HomVEE reserves the right to edit the profile for clarity and consistency.