Wisconsin Baby FAST Initiative

The proposed initiative seeks to reduce parental stress and social isolation through Baby FAST, an adaptation of Families and Schools Together (FAST), an evidence-based prevention model. Designed for at-risk babies and their parents, Baby FAST builds on research demonstrating that child maltreatment prevention is critically important for babies, ages 0-3. Baby FAST works with existing prevention programs to target young parents whose age, education, and other circumstances place them at risk for child maltreatment. Weekly multiple family group meetings create a safe, structured environment in which young mothers and their families can build supportive relationships. A pilot study of Baby FAST showed statistically significant reductions in participating mothers' depression, stress, and social isolation. The one-year proposed initiative will (a) implement Baby FAST in 10 Wisconsin sites to serve approximately 130 families, (b) conduct a wait-list control study of program efficacy in 3 of the 10 sites, using pre-post measures of targeted outcomes, and (c) develop an infrastructure to ensure program sustainability and replication. NCA/NCF