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

Area of Science:

• Community-based public health
• Child maltreatment prevention strategies
• Program implementation science

Background:

• Child maltreatment prevention requires effective community-based programs.
• The Family Success Network (FSN) is a voluntary program designed for high-need communities.
• Understanding implementation factors is crucial for program success and sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the first year of the Family Success Network (FSN) implementation.
• To identify successes, challenges, and determinants of participant reach, engagement, and outcomes.
• To inform future child maltreatment prevention efforts.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative data collected via semi-structured interviews and focus groups (July-December 2022).
• Participants included FSN project leadership, service providers, and implementation team members.
• Thematic analysis guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFI) was used.

Main Results:

• FSN successfully reached high-need families through community partnerships and referrals.
• Family coaches' lived experience and flexible, non-judgmental support enhanced engagement.
• Key challenges included stigma, staff turnover, and rural resource limitations.

Conclusions:

• Voluntary, relationship-based, and culturally responsive models are effective for engagement in prevention programs.
• FSN demonstrates potential for enhancing family resilience but faces sustainability challenges.
• Implementation determinants require careful consideration for scaling up prevention initiatives.