Life Skills Progression™

An Outcome and Intervention Planning Instrument for Use With Families at Risk

Second Edition

by Linda Wollesen, M.A., RN, LMFT and Brad Richardson, Ph.D.

Agencies using the LSP instrument are responsible for its safe and confidential use and are responsible for the training and supervision of staff regarding high-risk and reportable situations such as child abuse, intimate partner/domestic violence, depression and suicide or suicidal ideation, homicidal threats, and mental illness/depression.

The information provided in this book is in no way meant to substitute for a medical or mental health practitioner’s advice or expert opinion. Readers should consult a health or mental health professional if they are interested in more information. This book is sold without warranties of any kind, express or implied, and the publisher and authors disclaim any liability, loss, or damage caused by the contents of this book.

The individuals described in this book are composites or real people whose situations are masked and are based on the authors’ experiences. In all instances, names and identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

Purchasers of Life Skills Progression™: An Outcome and Intervention Planning Instrument for Use With Families at Risk, Second Edition are granted permission to download, print, and photocopy the tools in the text for clinical purposes. These forms may not be reproduced to generate revenue for any program or individual. Photocopies may only be made from an original book. Unauthorized use beyond this privilege may be prosecutable under federal law. You will see the copyright protection notice at the bottom of each photocopiable page.

Contents

• About the Online Materials
  vii
• About the Authors
  ix
• About the Contributor
  xi
• Preface
  xiii
• Acknowledgments
  xv

1. An Introduction to the Life Skills Progression™ (LSP)
   1
2. The History of Chasing Elusive Outcomes
   7
3. Maternal Early Childhood Home Visitation Best Practices
   17
4. Development and Field Testing of the LSP
   29
5. Instructions for Using and Scoring the LSP
   47
6. Reflective Supervision Using the LSP
   73
7. Using the LSP to Promote Maternal Health Literacy
   79
8. Using the LSP for Evaluation Purposes
   89
9. Integrating the LSP Into Sites and Systems
   99

References
103

APPENDICES
A. The Life Skills Progression™ Instrument
112
B. Abbreviations Used in the Life Skills Progression™
117
C. Emerging Best Practice for Home Visitation Checklist
119

About the Authors

Linda Wollesen, M.A., RN, LMFT

Linda focused her 35-year career on public health nursing and collaborative community-based services to low-income and ethnically diverse families. She has worked as a nursing visitor in housing projects in East Los Angeles and has held various positions in California, focusing on special needs children and infants in foster care.

Brad Richardson, Ph.D.

Brad is a research scientist and adjunct associate professor at The University of Iowa School of Social Work. His work includes promoting culturally responsive family-centered services, developing valid instruments to measure progress, and conducting evaluations across multiple disciplines.

A NOTE ON THIS EDITION

Together, Ms. Wollesen and Mr. Richardson began discussions to establish a national center for the LSP in 2016. This led to the need for renewing the information in Life Skills Progression™ with a second edition.

Preface

As a nation, we face challenges regarding funding and resources for families in poverty. Home visitation services, thought to be effective, show only modest results except for specific programs like the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP).

Poverty and Poor Outcomes

Children living in poverty face increased risks affecting their health and development, such as impaired relationships and poor nutrition. Home visitation programs serve these families but often struggle with funding and support.

CHAPTER OVERVIEWS

This book provides background material and instruction on the use of the LSP, focusing on individual assessment, intervention, and program planning. Each chapter details key aspects of home visitation, program evaluation, and incorporating practices to enhance outcomes for families.