| A question asked by many who research and develop early intervention programs is: what works in an intervention (Berlin, O'Neal, Brooks-Gunn, 1998; Barnard, 1998; Korfmacher, 1998)? Answers range from the theory and research behind the intervention; implementation and delivery methods; timing of the intervention; and adequate funding; to appropriate training and supervision of staff; and even to the proper political climate. One component that deserves more consideration is the provider-client relationship. To be successful, what must occur between the intervention program---as delivered by providers---and client, is a mutual relationship. This thesis looks at certain aspects of relationship between home visitors and mothers in an early intervention program, concerning their parenting beliefs and practices. Eleven home visitors and 12 mothers involved in Early Education Services, a comprehensive early intervention program based in rural Vermont, took part in a project designed to gather information about variation in parenting beliefs and practices. The majority of data used is qualitative, stemming from profiles developed from oral history interviews conducted with home visitors and mothers who were participating in the evaluation of Early Head Start. Additional quantitative data comes from two self-report measures used in the study, Abidin's Parenting Stress Index/Short Form and Milner's Child Abuse Potential Inventory. This thesis expands on an earlier study that focused on how home visitors view their work with parents (Collins, 2000). With the addition of quantitative self-report inventory data and oral history interviews, mothers add their voices to the development of a helping relationship. The theme of 'relationship' winds its way through both the mothers' and the home visitors' descriptions of their parenting beliefs. While they build a working relationship, mothers and home visitors, each influencing the other, share views and information about parenting. |
