Developmental evaluation of the Safe Babies project: application of the COECA model.

The Safe Babies project was developed and implemented in Victoria, British Columbia in response to an increased awareness of the unique needs of infants exposed prenatally to drugs and alcohol and the education and support needs of the foster parents who frequently care for them. This article describes development of the project from within the context of health and child welfare systems and the political environment of the time. A formative evaluation process was designed and organized within the COECA (Charting the Outcomes of Education and Clinical Approaches) model. This model provided a useful method of not only organizing evaluative efforts, but also targeting efforts that might contribute to maintaining the sustainability and profile of the pilot project.