# iLookOut for Child Abuse: Micro-learning to improve knowledge retention

> **NIH NIH R01** · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV HERSHEY MED CTR · 2021 · $400,000

## Abstract

30-line abstract
The epidemic of child abuse in the U.S. (>675,000 confirmed annually) causes massive harm to children and
the adults they become. Sequellae include physical disabilities and neurological damage, mental health
problems, maladaptive behaviors, and perpetuating cycles of abuse. Young children (aged 0–5 years) are
particularly vulnerable to victimization. They account for >75% of deaths from abuse and a greater proportion
of victims than older children for all categories of maltreatment except sexual abuse. Yet despite 8-12 million
American children being in childcare, early childhood professionals (ECPs) report fewer than 1% (~2,500) of
all substantiated cases of child abuse. Research shows that ECPs are not adequately prepared to identify at-risk
children, and there is a wide-spread need for interventions with demonstrated efficacy for improving ECP
reporting of suspected child abuse. That said, efforts to raise ECP reporting rates must be careful not to
promote inappropriate reporting, which wastes scarce resources and causes families undue stress.
Our parent 5-year study is evaluating the efficacy of an innovative educational intervention, iLook Out for Child
Abuse (iLookOut) at promoting and sustaining both knowledge, and behavior change with regard to concerns
about child abuse. Grounded in an experiential learning conceptual model, iLookOut is a multi-media, online
intervention that engages learners emotionally and cognitively using an interactive, video-based storyline that
provides education, challenges learners with decision-points, and gives critical feedback. iLookOut uses
gamification strategies to promote experiential learning through simulation, problem-solving, and practice
opportunities to apply new information and understanding. It also includes follow-up activities to promote
retention and integration of new knowledge, and help ECPs remain aware and engaged.
Prior studies demonstrate that iLookOut's Core Training significantly improves knowledge and attitudes about
reporting suspected child abuse, and is well received by ECPs. To evaluate its impact on sustaining knowledge
and changing behavior, the parent grant will administer knowledge and behavioral measures before and after
iLookOut's Core Training and its Advanced Training. For the Head Start version of Core Training, the parent
grant will deploy and evaluate an English-language version, while this supplement will create, deploy, and
evaluate a Spanish-language version. Subsequent analysis will analyze for any outcomes-based differences
between ECPs who complete the English- versus Spanish-language version. Additionally, we will create and
deploy a brief (30-60 minute) pilot, micro-learning course to help learners better appreciate how cultural
diversity, implicit bias, and disproportionality relate to child abuse and its reporting. The primary goal of this
supplement is to increase access to, and usability of, iLookOut's Core Training while also examining its...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10490584
- **Project number:** 3R01HD088448-06A1S1
- **Recipient organization:** PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV HERSHEY MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Benjamin H. Levi
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $400,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2016-09-20 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10490584

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10490584, iLookOut for Child Abuse: Micro-learning to improve knowledge retention (3R01HD088448-06A1S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10490584. Licensed CC0.

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