Enrollment and outcomes of home visiting for mothers with and without a history of out‐of‐home care

Abstract

Women previously in out‐of‐home care (i.e., foster care) experience poorer health and psychosocial outcomes compared to peers, including higher pregnancy rates and child protective services involvement. Home visiting programs could mitigate risks. Studies examining home visiting enrollment for women with a history of out‐of‐home care are needed. Women previously in out‐of‐home care based on child welfare administrative data between 2012 and 2017 (n = 1375) were compared to a demographically matched sample (n = 1375) never in out‐of‐home care. Vital records data identified live births in the two groups. For those who had given live birth (n = 372), linked administrative data were used to determine and compare rates of referral and enrollment into home visiting, and two indicators of engagement: number of days enrolled, and number of visits received. Women previously in out‐of‐home care were referred for home visiting more often than their peers. There were no differences in rates of enrollment. Women previously in out‐of‐home care remained enrolled for shorter durations and completed fewer home visits than peers. Findings suggest barriers to home visiting enrollment and retention in home visiting programs for women previously in out‐of‐home care. Studies with larger samples and more complete assessments of outcomes are warranted.