The Prevention Initiative Demonstration Project (PIDP)

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

The Prevention Initiative Demonstration Project (PIDP) was launched on February 26, 2008 as a $5 million, one-year child abuse and neglect prevention project led by 12 community-based organization selected as leads or co-leads of local networks that were serving each of the county’s eight regional Service Planning Areas with a total of 89 agencies taking part in the networks. In contrast to previous contract arrangement, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) did not predetermine what PIDP services should be but instead relied on local partnerships between community leaders and administrators of DCFS Regional Offices to develop approaches that fit the needs of eight different regions in this very large and diverse county. In addition to linking families to specific services in a time of crisis or need, the PIDP networks offer help with employment and family finances, navigating the maze of community services and supports, empowering families to solve their own problems. Guided by the values of collaboration and capacity building, DCFS and community organizations have been working closely with each other and with residents to demonstrate promising strategies that have been designed to ensure child safety, support families and build on community assets.