The Just Beginning Project is a relationship based intervention consisting of instructional sessions and parent-child visits focusing on communication and socio-emotional enhancing techniques. Incarcerated teen parents are rarely given the opportunity to participate in hands-on parent training programs, despite the potential for reduced recidivism for the parent and socio-emotional benefits for their child. The findings of this study could have important implications for how to create and implement successful interventions for this unique population.
King, S. M., Ayasse, H., Mikytuck, A., Barr, R. F., Woolard, J. F., & Harrak, T. (2019). The intersection of juvenile justice and early childhood: How to maximize family engagement. Florida Law Review Forum, Vol 71(1), 88-103.
Richeda B., Barr R., Cowan P., Cowan C., Rodriguez J., Shauffer C., Smith K., Perkins E. & Simmons S. (2015). Baby Elmo leads dads back to the nursery: How a relationship-based intervention for fathers enhances father and child outcomes. Zero To Three, 35(5), 25-35.
King S., Barr R., & Woolard J. (2015). Cost-effective juvenile justice reform: Lessons from the Just Beginning “Baby Elmo” teen parenting program. 93 N.C.L Rev 1381-1418.
Barr R., Morin, M., Brito N., Richeda, B., Rodriguez J., & Shauffer C. (2013). Delivering services to incarcerated teen fathers: A pilot intervention to increase the quality of father-infant interactions during visitation. Psychological Services, 11(1), 10-21.
Brito N., Barr R., Rodriguez J., & Shauffer C. (2012). Developing an Effective Intervention for Incarcerated Teen Fathers: The Baby Elmo Program. Zero to Three, 32(5), 26-32.
Barr R., Brito N., Zocca J., Reina S., Rodriguez J., Shauffer C. (2011). The baby elmo program: Improving teen father-child interactions within juvenile justice facilities. Children and Youth Services Review, 33(9), 1555-1562.