Clinical Supervision

Clinical Supervision of Home Visitors at a Distance: Challenges and Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic. CHHD colleagues Caroline Mavridis, Kim Gans, and Sara Harkness are addressing effects of social distancing measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as they affect to supervision of preventive home-visiting programs in CT. Special focus is being given to how new procedures (such as online team meetings, supervisory sessions, and online home “visits”) might have changed supervision and support of frontline staff and their work with families – who may be in even greater financial, health, and relationship crisis than before the quarantine. The study will examine changes in communications between supervisors and frontline staff; new challenges and stresses for agencies and families (e.g. domestic violence, children missing immunizations); supervisors’ stress, self-care; and additional changes or supports that are needed.  The work is funded through a 2020 CHHD Faculty Seed Grant, and is being done in close collaboration with longtime partners at the CT Office of Early Childhood, Family Support Service Division.