Intervention Différentielle en Partenariat (IDP)

Brief Description

The Intervention Différentielle en Partenariat (IDP) is a differential, needs-based intervention based on two main premises: intervention to correct behaviour and intervention carried out in collaboration by all adults surrounding the child.

The program is centered on conflict resolution; counselling and social work; family therapy; parent training; peer counselling and mediation; school-based strategies; skills training; and social emotional learning.

Goals

The main goals of the IDP are to:

• Reduce behavioural difficulties (unwanted, explosive, and delinquent);
• Reduce risk factors and maltreatment present in the family; and
• Offer an effective intervention through the collaboration of social services, family, and school.

Clientele

The appropriate clientele for the IDP is boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 12 who are receiving psychosocial services from the Centre Jeunesse de Québec-Institut Universitaire (CJQ-IU) or the Centre de Santé et de Services Sociaux (CSSS).

To be eligible to receive IDP services, the youth’s family environment must show elements of abuse and/or neglect, and the youth must have behavioural problems at home and/or at school.

Children are referred to the program by the Centre Jeunesse de Québec-Institut Universitaire (CJQ-IU) or the Centre de Santé et de Services Sociaux (CSSS).

Core Components

The IDP consists of:

• A shared systemic assessment/evaluation of the child’s situation, which includes the identification of their behavioural profile (unwanted, explosive, or delinquent) and the development of an individualized plan;
• The implementation and delivery of the personalized intervention plan, which ensures that each youth participates in various activities tailored to their level of risk and unique needs; and
• A partnership, which is developed with youth, their families, and other community-based services and organizations. This ensures that youth and their families are able to easily access a wide range of services beyond those offered by the program.

The development of the intervention is dependent on the identification of the child as belonging to one of three behaviour profiles:

• Unwanted: the child should be protected from any rejection, a meaningful rapport with an adult should be constructed;
• Explosive: counselling and treatment for trauma is needed, and alternatives to violence, emotional regulation, and self-control skills must be taught; and
• Delinquent: intervention should focus on empowerment, the consequences of anger, and structure for the child’s life.

Implementation Information

Some of the critical elements for the implementation of this program or initiative include the following:

• Organizational requirements: The lead organization must ensure that activities are tailored to each youth based on their behaviour profiles.
• Partnerships: Organizations should partner with the Centre Jeunesse de Québec-Institut Universitaire (CJQ-IU), the Centre de Santé et de Services Sociaux (CSSS), schools, school boards, and other community-based organizations.
• Training and technical assistance: Limited information on this topic.
• Risk assessment tools: Youth are assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ), and the Conflict Tactic Scale (CTS). 
• Materials & resources: Limited information on this topic.

International Endorsements

The most recognized classification systems of evidence-based crime prevention programs have classified this program or initiative as follows:

• Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development: Not applicable.
• Crime Solutions/OJJDP Model Program Guide: Not applicable.
• SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices: Not applicable.
• Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy: Not applicable.

Gathering Canadian Knowledge

Canadian Implementation Sites

Public Safety Canada’s National Crime Prevention Strategy provided funding to implement the IDP in Lanaudière, Quebec between 2010 and 2013. The IDP was implemented by the Centre jeunesse de Lanaudière (CJL).

Main Findings from Canadian Outcome Evaluation Studies

As part of Public Safety Canada’s funding, an outcome evaluation study^Footnote1 of the IDP was conducted in 2010-2014 by Desbiens and Gagné. A quasi-experimental design was used with an experimental group and a control group. Questionnaires were administered to each group at pre-test and at post-test (two interim tests at 9 month intervals).

Results from the evaluation showed the following:

• There was a positive effect on externalized and internalized behaviours;
• Parents and teachers reported improved behaviours (a reduction in delinquent behaviours); and
• There was an improvement in parent-practices; parents became more engaged with their children, and inconsistent disciplinary practices were reduced.

For more information, refer to Desbiens & Gagné’s (2014) publication.

Cost Information

No information available.

References

Desbiens, N., & Gagné, M. H. (2014). Évaluation des effets des interventions réalisées en partenariat entre l’école et les services sociaux : Impacts du programme IDP. Rapport de recherche. Université de Montréal. Submitted to the National Crime Prevention Centre, Public Safety Canada.  Available from the Centre jeunesse de Lanaudière’s website.

For more information on this program, contact:

Centre jeunesse de Lanaudière
260 Lavaltrie Road South
Joliette, Quebec J6W 5X7
Telephone: 1 (800) 229-1152
Website:  http://www.centresjeunessedelanaudiere.qc.ca/Pages/default.aspx