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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03185728

iLook Out for Child Abuse: An Innovative Learning Module for Childcare Providers

This five-year study aims to improve childcare provider (CCP) reporting of suspected child abuse by means of an online learning module, iLook Out for Child Abuse. Using an interactive, video-based story-line (along with follow-up activities), iLookOut engages CCPs emotionally and intellectually to take the first step in addressing the epidemic of child abuse -which in the U.S. claims >680,000 confirmed victims annually. The consequences of child abuse can be devastating and long-lasting. The purpose of this study is to establish an evidence-based intervention that can help those who care for young children recognize and report suspected child abuse before irreparable harm occurs.

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Key information

Conditions

Child Abuse

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Penn State College of Medicine

Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States

About this study

This 5-year study will evaluate the efficacy of an innovative educational intervention, iLook Out for Child Abuse (iLookOut) for increasing rates of accurate child abuse reporting. Grounded in an Experiential Learning conceptual model, iLookOut is a multi-media, online intervention that engages learners emotionally and intellectually through an interactive, video-based story-line that provides education, challenges learners with decision-points, and gives critical feedback. iLookOut uses "gamification" strategies to promote experiential learning through simulation, problem-solving, and practice opportunities to apply new information and understanding. It also will include follow-up activities that promote retention and integration of new knowledge, as well as help CCPs to remain aware and engaged.

Prior studies have demonstrated that iLookOut significantly improves CCP knowledge and attitudes about reporting suspected child abuse, and is very well received by CCPs. To evaluate its impact on actual reporting behavior, the proposed research will randomize CCP sites in southern Maine (total = ~1,300) to receive iLookOut, Standard training, or Control (no intervention).

The primary goal is to increase the number of CCP reports for which either child abuse is confirmed or social services (e.g., therapeutic services, nutritional assistance) are recommended -as these are the kinds of reports that are likely to actually benefit a child.

The secondary goal is to decrease the proportion of reports that don't offer such benefit, and in particular to decrease costs to the state associated with intake and investigation of non-beneficial reports.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Works or volunteers at a childcare facility in Maine (i.e., home-based childcare, childcare center, Head Start facility, nursery school, pre-school)
  • 18 years of age or older

Exclusion criteria

  • Does not work or volunteer at a childcare facility in Maine
  • Under 18 years of age

Treatment and study plan

iLook Out for Child Abuse

Other

Online, interactive educational intervention that uses a video-based story-line and "gamification" to teach childcare providers about child abuse and mandated reporting.

Other names: iLookOut

Primary outcomes

  1. Percentage of "High Quality" reports of suspected child abuse submitted to the State of Maine by childcare providers

    Time frame: 48 months

    Percentage of childcare provider reports (of suspected abuse) to the state of Maine that result in either i) child abuse being confirmed, or ii) social services being recommended for the child/family who was reported.

    We will use Maine's Office of Child and Family Services' criteria for determining what counts as "confirmed child abuse" as well as what counts as a "recommended social service."

Secondary outcomes

  1. Percentage of reports of suspected child abuse submitted to the State of Maine by childcare providers that are "Low Quality"

    Time frame: 48 months

    "Low Quality" reports of suspected abuse are reports to the state of Maine that do not result in either findings of child abuse or recommended social services.

    We will use Maine's Office of Child and Family Services' criteria for determining what counts as "confirmed child abuse" as well as what counts as a "recommended social service."

  2. Financial costs (in U.S. dollars) associated with responding to "Low Quality" reports of suspected abuse that are submitted to the State of Maine by childcare providers

    Time frame: 48 months

    Financial costs (in U.S. dollars) expended by the State of Maine on "Low Quality" reports (submitted by childcare providers during the study period) will be calculated by summing the following:

    i) The average cost to the State of Maine associated with an "Intake call," multiplied by the number of reports of suspected abuse submitted by childcare providers that are screened out (i.e., determined by Intake workers to NOT warrant investigation); and

    ii) The average cost to the State of Maine associated with investigating a report of suspected abuse, multiplied by the number of reports of suspected abuse submitted by childcare providers that are investigated, but NO abuse was confirmed AND no social services were recommended to the child/family that had been reported

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Other

Collaborators

  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
  • Penn State University
  • University of Oklahoma

Registry information

Acronym: iLookOut

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2022
First posted
Jun 14, 2017
Registry last updated
Jan 11, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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