Client’s Goal
Based on research conducted by a national study and Oklahoma State University, the goal of the project was to equip families receiving public health care with the skills necessary to care for a new baby and then grow and sustain future family relationships.

PSI’s Role
PSI launched Family Expectations in the fall of 2005, and was responsible for recruiting participants, delivering services and reporting outcomes.

PSI’s Tactics
PSI conducted focus groups with the proposed target population, analyzed existing services, reviewed educational materials, and met with potential community partners to determine participation in the project.

The complexity of the program, the nature of the target audience, the goals of the various funders, and the research component necessitated the implementation of internal systems. This included the development of detailed protocols and procedures, a comprehensive staff training plan and an enhanced Management Information System that provided real-time performance reports to managers and team members.

Once a comprehensive program model was piloted, PSI focused efforts on securing additional resources to further fund the project. This effort was deemed a success when two national research organizations accepted Family Expectations into their study and contributed funding to the project. A federal grant was also awarded.

Results
Family Expectations is the largest initiative of its kind in the United States. It grew from six employees to a staff of 70 in just two years. More than 100 couples/families enroll every month and can choose from an average of seven educational workshops per week. In addition to the workshops, a number of family support and supplemental activities are provided.