Successes, Challenges, and Determinants of Implementation for the Family Success Network (FSN), a Community-Based Child Maltreatment Prevention Program.

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the first year of implementation of the Family Success Network (FSN), a voluntary, community-based child maltreatment prevention program in communities with high levels of unmet needs in a Midwestern U.S. state. As part of a process evaluation, the study aimed to identify key successes, challenges, and implementation determinants related to participant reach, engagement, and outcomes.

Materials and methods: Qualitative data were collected between July and December 2022 through semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups via Zoom. Participants included FSN project leadership (n = 3), service providers (n = 4), and implementation team members (n = 10) representing community stakeholders involved in program delivery and oversight. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to identify multi-level factors influencing implementation.

Results: Participants reported that FSN reached families with high levels of need through community partnerships, word-of-mouth referrals, and family-centered outreach. Engagement was supported by family coaches' lived experience, non-judgmental approaches, and flexible in-home service delivery. Concrete supports, financial literacy services, and improvements in protective factors fostered trust and participation. Key challenges included stigma associated with child welfare systems, staff turnover, and limited resources in rural communities.

Discussion: Findings highlight the role of voluntary, relationship-based, and culturally responsive service models in supporting engagement and strengthening protective factors in prevention programs.

Conclusion: FSN shows promise as a community-based prevention model that enhances family resilience through relational engagement and tailored supports, while pointing to implementation challenges that may affect sustainability and scale-up.