e-PALS Baby Net is a web-based parenting intervention for mothers of infants at risk of maltreatment. It is an online adaption of the Play and Learning Strategies (PALS) program.
Broadly, the program aims to protect against child maltreatment and improve social-emotional behaviour and developmental outcomes. In addition, the online version of the program, e-PALS, seeks to address financial and geographical barriers to accessing the intervention.
e-PALS Baby Net was designed for mothers of low income families with young children.
The e-PALS Baby Net program has only been evaluated in the USA (Baggett et al. 2017).
A randomised controlled trial was conducted with 159 people. Children were 3.5-7.5 months old. 43% of mothers identified as an ethnic or racial minority. Many mothers were experiencing symptoms of depression (no further details reported). Mothers were excluded from the study if they were homeless, living in an area without cell service, or receiving inpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment at the time of screening.
The program has not been evaluated in Australia or with Aboriginal Australians.
Overall, the program had a mixed effect on client outcomes.
Mixed research evidence (with no adverse effects):
e-PALS Baby Net is delivered online. It consists of 11 sessions:
Seven home-visiting sessions are on:
These seven topics are the same as the original PALS program.
In addition to seven sessions above:
The e-PALS Baby-Net adaptation includes the following structure in each intervention session:
Not reported.
All mothers were given cellular-activated computers to use for up to 6 months to complete the intervention.
Coaches held a bachelor's degree in a helping profession, at a minimum. Initially, they received 2-day training and a coach call implementation guide. They also needed to pass an initial implementation fidelity check. They received ongoing weekly supervision and monthly implementation fidelity checks were conducted.
1 RCT conducted in the USA with a sample of 159 people (Baggett et al. 2017).
For more information and resources see: https://playandlearning.org/
16 Feb 2023
We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the First Nations Peoples of NSW and pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future.
Informed by lessons of the past, Department of Communities and Justice is improving how we work with Aboriginal people and communities. We listen and learn from the knowledge, strength and resilience of Stolen Generations Survivors, Aboriginal Elders and Aboriginal communities.
You can access our apology to the Stolen Generations.