Evaluating how Providers’ Competency to Deliver SafeCare® Relates to Provider Training and Family Outcomes

Evidence-based programs (EBPs) are the gold standard of prevention and intervention programs to address child maltreatment. SafeCare® is a parent-training EBP that significantly reduces risk factors and occurrences of child neglect and abuse. To ensure that EBPs are being implemented correctly and effectively, it is important to evaluate provider fidelity (adherence to program protocol) and competency (skill level to deliver protocol). Provider fidelity has been more frequently measured than provider competency. However, research has shown competency to be complementary to fidelity, and competency seems to be an important predictor of patient outcomes. The current study used SafeCare to analyze how provider competency relates to provider training and family outcomes. Results showed that provider competency was positively correlated with provider training quizzes but not to provider training role plays or family outcomes. These findings suggest that provider knowledge acquisition during training may be an important factor in providers achieving strong competency in the delivery of an EBP