Implementing paraprofessional strength-based early intervention home visitations

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the implementation process for Parenting Plus, an early intervention program in a rural, western Canadian health district. Parenting Plus, as modeled after Hawaii Healthy Start, provides strength-based paraprofessional home visitations to overburdened parents of newborns. The general inductive approach guided the studies design and the methods used for data collection and analysis. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with health care practitioners and focus groups with program participants were held until theoretical saturation was achieved for both. Recommendations for policy and practice address the need for intersectoral involvement as crucial to a strength-based pilot project's success. Future research needs not only to look at the mode of service delivery but also, more importantly, at how the characteristics of the home visitor can effect change in the participant and what level of experience or education (paraprofessional or professional) is best suited to a particular client population.