SafeCare Parent-Child Interaction (PCI)

SafeCare Parent-Child Interaction (PCI) is one of three modules that make up the SafeCare intervention. SafeCare PCI can also be implemented independently as a stand-alone model. SafeCare PCI serves families with young children whose ages range from birth through 5 years. SafeCare PCI is designed to benefit families with risk factors for child maltreatment, promote positive caregiver-child relationships, and help parents improve their skills in:

• Structuring daily activities for their children
• Providing engaging and stimulating activities and language for their children
• Increasing positive interactions and communication with their children
• Preventing challenging behavior in children

Planned Activities Training is a critical component of SafeCare PCI. Originally developed in 1980 by Matthew Sanders of The University of Queensland, Planned Activities Training helps parents learn and apply a set of strategies to prevent child behavior problems. The strategies used in Planned Activities Training focus on engaging children with age-appropriate activities in situations where children might typically struggle (such as while shopping or traveling in the car).

In addition to Planned Activities Training, SafeCare PCI includes elements such as (1) a protocol for working with children between birth and 18 months, (2) educational materials on child development for caregivers, and (3) activity cards that suggest ways for parents to play with their children using basic household items, allowing them to practice skills between visits. SafeCare PCI is delivered in six sessions, and home visits are 60-minute weekly or biweekly sessions conducted by trained SafeCare providers.