A Dynamic Model of Early Childhood Maltreatment and Resiliency

At Mgmtlaboratory.com, we started the project to develop a dynamic computer simulation model of the negative effect of maltreatment on the development of an infant and of natural resiliency aided by intervention. There were studies from academia and research organizations that established the stunting effect of maltreatment on child development. There were also studies that identified the role of intervention in promoting natural resilient factors which strive to bring infant development back to norm. We believe the computer simulation model will facilitate operations research on the delivery of early childhood services. For the administrator, we also see the computer simulation model as a powerful training tool for child services staff.

In 2008, the Twin Cities Metropolitan Alliance for Healthy Families, or MAHF, was established to pilot an early childhood visiting service. The results of studies evaluating the effectiveness of the program and the collected transactional data were curated by Dakota County, Minnesota. The article by Fitch and Jagolino (1) published in 2012 citing an approach to management under complexity highlighted the cost-benefit evaluation using system dynamics modeling. Our project will similarly be based on system dynamics modeling for its being developer friendly and the software’s ability to handle non-linear goal seeking modules simultaneously. We are leveraging the modeling ability of our staff and contributing consultants.

The first phase of the project is the completion of the computer simulation model and the validation of model behavior in comparison to design. The second phase is to seek participation by practitioners in the child services field in associating model performance with actual results. We at mgmtlaboratory.com are optimistic that the computer simulation model under development will be useful in training child services staff, in the improvement of assessment tools and in service delivery research.

By Mgmtlaboratory.com staff and contributing consultants, 2018

(1) Fitch, D. and Jagolino, N. C., “Examining Organizational Functioning Through the Lens of Complexity Theory Using System Dynamics Modeling.” Journal of Social Service Research, 2012.