Parent-Child Care (PC-CARE) is a 6 session dyadic treatment program for families that are interested in improving caregiver-child relationships and are willing to learn new child behavior management strategies. It serves families with children ages 1 to 10 years. A wide range of caregivers can participate, including biological parents, foster and kin caregivers, and adoptive caregivers. PC-CARE can be provided by mental health clinicians as a mental health intervention, and paraprofessionals as a prevention service.
Last reviewed: 2024
Intended Outcomes:
Improvements in children’s disruptive behaviors, reductions in overall trauma symptoms, and less parenting stress. Parents are also observed to use the skills more frequently, and dyads are observed to share more positive engagement.
Continuum of Care:
Indicated Prevention, Selective Prevention, Treatment, Universal Prevention
Topic Areas:
Behavioral Health/Mental Health, Disruptive Behaviors, Trauma
Ages:
Childhood (4-12), Early Childhood (0-3)
Geographic Locations:
Urban
Delivery Settings:
Community-Based, Congregate Care Facility
Cultural Considerations:
A balanced amount of the research involved diverse populations
Audience:
PC-CARE is for any caregiver that is motivated to improve their relationship with their child and to learn new caregiving skills. Caregivers should have custody of the child, or have at least regular contact (e.g., foster, adoptive, relative, reunited parent that has at least supervised visits). This program is for children between the ages of 1 and 10 years who may have experienced a traumatic event, may be adjusting to a new home, or may be disruptive and defiant.
Credentials:
PC-CARE can be provided by mental health clinicians as a mental health intervention, and paraprofessionals as a prevention service.
Manuals:
Yes
Is Training Required?
Yes, see developer info
Who can provide the required training?
Please visit the following site for more information on training: https://pcit.ucdavis.edu/pc-care-training/
Program Costs (materials, training, etc.):
Yes, refer to program website
Program/Practice Website:
https://pcit.ucdavis.edu/pc-care/
Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research:
Hawk, B. N., Timmer, S. G., Armendariz, L. A., Boys, D. K., Urquiza, A. J., & Fernández y Garcia, E. (2022). Improving children’s behavior in seven sessions: A randomized controlled trial of Parent-Child Care (PC-CARE) for children aged 2–10 years. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 1-14.
Hawk, B. N., Timmer, S. G., Armendariz, L. A. F., Boys, D. K., & Urquiza, A. J. (2020). Improving behaviors and placement stability for young foster children: An open trial of Parent-Child Care (PC-CARE) in the child welfare system. Children and Youth Services Review.
Timmer, S. G., Hawk, B. N., Forte, L. A., Boys, D. K., & Urquiza, A. J. (2018). An Open Trial of Parent–Child Care (PC-CARE)-A 6-Week Dyadic Parenting Intervention for Children with Externalizing Behavior Problems. Child Psychiatry & Human Development. doi:10.1007/s10578-018-0814-8
WV Rating:
Promising
»WV Ratings Info
Rationale for Rating:
Limited randomized research can be found for the program, but the research that is available is promising. With more research, it could be supported, and outcomes look positive.
Contraindications or Concerns:
None identified
Other Registries/Ratings
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare:
Promising Research Evidence
Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development:
Not On Registry
Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness:
Not On Registry
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Model Programs Guide:
Not On Registry
Washington State Institute for Public Policy:
Not On Registry