Child Abuse Prevention Fund Wins Prestigious Award

The Early Years Home Visitation Outcomes Project, funded and led by Children's Hospital and Health System's Child Abuse Prevention Fund, is the 2007 winner of the Wisconsin Association of Family & Children's Agencies John R. Grace Award.

The Early Years Home Visitation Outcomes Project developed an outcome measurement process and data collection system for Wisconsin-based home visiting programs. This pilot project was awarded the John R. Grace Award for its public/private partnership, interagency collaboration and innovative structure that enables participating agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of their programs through consistent data collection and program assessment.

"We funded this project seven years ago because it was time to push programs to get serious about evaluation," said Jennifer Hammel, director, CAP Fund. "We knew it was the right thing to do, and we had leaders at the table who were committed to this process."

Established in 2006, the John R. Grace Outstanding Leadership Award for innovative leadership on behalf of Wisconsin's families and children is named for WAFCA's leader of twenty-six years who promoted best practices and innovation. WAFCA is a statewide association of more than 40 agencies providing mental health, education, child welfare and social services.