Targeting Support to Families at Greatest Risk: Case study of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Predictive Risk Model for Child Abuse and Neglect

Vital records such as those of births and deaths are among the mundane ways that government records events and tracks data.  Yet these universal data sources can be an untapped resource for finding trends and patters that help improve public health.  An excellent example is the Department of Human Services (DHS) in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, which uses data from birth records to prioritize prevention services to the families of children at highest risk of abuse or neglect. Using predicted risk scores, the county created a universal family support program and offered services tailored to individual family needs, with emphasis on reaching those at greatest risk.  This case study describes the Hello Baby program and how it uses predictive risk scores to help families most at risk.