2006-07 Bright Start Parenting Education Program Survey

Melanie Bronfin, JDInstitute of Infant and Early Childhood

Mental HealthTulane University School of Medicine

February 28, 2007

Introduction

BrightStart Strategic Plan Includes goals and strategies for improvement in

parenting education in Louisiana Results of the Parenting Education / Family Support

Workgroup Identified need for more information on what

currently is offered throughout the state Recommended a Parenting Education Program

Survey

Introduction: Goal of Parenting Education Program Survey

Determine what is currently being offered in Louisiana in parenting education

Nature and extent of the programs Funding Families being served Affiliation with model programs Whether programs are accredited, credentialed or

certified Background and training of educators Other aspects of the programs

Methods

Survey was limited to programs that are: State funded and/or state administered programs For parents and caregivers of children ages 0-5 In the form of

Classes Group meetings Home visitation

Methods

Survey characteristics: Distributed through the Children’s Cabinet

and the Children’s Trust Fund Completed by programs online Conducted December 2006 through

January 2007

Parenting Education Program Survey Results

29 programs completed the survey

What Parishes Are Being Served by the Programs?

Parenting Education Program Survey Results

3 programs are statewide 1. Parents Preparing for Success Program (PPSP)

Provided by LSU Ag and Southern Ag for the Department of Social Services/Office of Family Support

For pregnant women and parents of children under age one who receive public assistance.

2. Nurturing the Families of Louisiana ™ Department of Social Services/Office of Community Services To prevent repeat maltreatment among families involved with

OCS 3.Project PROMPT

Families Helping Families for parents of children with disabilities

Parenting Education Program Survey Results

3 programs are statewide 1. Parents Preparing for Success Program (PPSP)

Provided by LSU Ag and Southern Ag for the Department of Social Services/Office of Family Support

For pregnant women and parents of children under age one who receive public assistance.

2. Nurturing the Families of Louisiana ™ Department of Social Services/Office of Community Services To prevent repeat maltreatment among families involved with

OCS 3.Project PROMPT

Families Helping Families for parents of children with disabilities

Number of Parishes Served by the Programs

The majority of programs (12) provide services to only 1 parish.

Others provide: 2 programs in 2 parishes 3 programs in 4 parishes 2 programs in 5 parishes 3 programs in 6 parishes 3 programs in greater than 10

parishes (11,15, 18 parishes) 3 programs statewide

Programs per Parish

27 parishes had 6 programs23 parishes had 5 programs7 parishes had 7 programs4 parishes had 4 programs2 parishes had 8 programs1 parish (EBR) had 10 programs

Programs per Parish Legend

4 programs

5 programs

6 programs

7 programs

8 programs

10 programs

What Are the Sources of Funding for the Programs?

State Departments Funding Parenting Education Programs

Programs Spanned 4 State Departments:

Department of Social Services Children’s Trust Fund (6 programs) Office of Community Services (1 program) Office of Family Support (2 programs)

State Departments’ Funding of Parenting Education Programs

Department of Health and Hospitals 3 programs

Department of Education 2 programs

Office of Youth Development 2 programs

Amount of Funding

$900,000 or above 3 programs $770,000 1 program $700,000 1 program $598,000 1 program $360,000 1 program $300,000 1 program $125,000 1 program

Amount of Funding

$90,000 1 program $50,000 1 program $45,500 1 program $40,000 1 program $15,000 1 program $10,000 3 programs Below $10,000 7 programs

Sources of Funding for Programs

69% received State Funds38% received Federal Funds21% received Foundation

Funds14% received Local funds1 program Charged Fees

Which Families Are Being Served and How Many Are Being Served?

Who is Eligible to Participate?

65.5% of the programs serve teen mothers

62% serve teen fathers, adult fathers, single parents

59% serve all mothers 59% serve parents/caregivers of children

with special health care needs 24% serve parent offenders in

correctional facilities

Language(s) Spoken in Programs

English—100% Spanish—4 programs

2 additional programs had written materials available in Spanish

Vietnamese--none

Numbers Served

Two programs 1500 participants One program 950 Two programs 730-760 Two programs 500-550 Three programs 400-450 Three programs 100-150 Two programs 70-80 Ten programs 50 and under

Barriers to Attendance

29%

74.2%

29%

45.2%

25.8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Child Care

Transportation

Hours offered

Work demands

Other

What Topics and Ages Are Being Addressed by the Programs?

Topics Addressed by Programs

50556065707580859095

100

%

Parent/ChildRelationshipsChildDevelopmentCommunication

Child BehaviorManagementNutrition

Health

Safety

Topics Addressed by Programs

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

%

Special Needs

Adult Beh.Managemt

Time/MoneyManagemt

School Readiness

Fathering

Child Literacy

Sexuality

Ages Targeted by Programs

86% targeted 0-11 month olds 83% targeted 1 year olds 80% targeted 2 year olds 83% targeted 3 year olds 72% targeted 4 year olds 69% targeted 5 year olds

59% targeted pregnant women

What is the Nature and Intensity of the Contact By the Program with the Participants?

Nature of Contact of Programs

83% Group meetings76% Classes38% Home visits

Intensity of Programs

Data from 14 programs showed program intensity 8 programs showed 20 or fewer

hours/contacts 3 programs showed between 20-30 hours 3 programs showed between 40-45 hours

Data from 6 other programs suggested intensity of greater than 40 hours

Intensity of Programs

Program Hour/week # Weeks Total Hours

Best Start—Parenting 101

2(also indicated 4 contacts/month)

6 12

Common Sense Parenting

2 7 14

Active Parenting Now

2 8 16

Parents Preparing for Success

3 6 18

Intensity of ProgramsProgram Hours/

week

# Weeks

Total Hours

Best Start 2

8-12 16-24

Teaching Appropriate Parenting Skills

2 10 (Two and

half months)

20

Parenting Made Possible

2 12 24

Best Dads 2 13 26

Intensity of Programs

Program Hours/week

# Weeks Total Hours

Nurturing the Families of LA™

2.5 16 40

Teen Parent Education and Support

1 40 (10 months)

40

Institutional Parenting

1 43 43

Intensity of Programs

Program Hours/week

# Weeks Total Hours

Family Literacy

2 44 (11 months)

88?

Bowdin 2 52(12 months)

104?

Nurturing Parenting

6 40 weeks

(10 months)240?

Intensity of Programs

Program Hour/

month

# Months Total Hours

Parenting Skills

6 1 6

Project

Share

1 12 12

Parents as

Teacher Program

3 Until child reaches 5 years

Even Start Family Literacy

Min. of 8 Each month family is enrolled

Intensity of ProgramsProgram Contact/

WeekContact/

Month

# Months/

Weeks

Total

Contacts

Family Road Healthy Start

2 to 3 Until child reaches 2

years

Peers in Parenting

1

HIPPY One 30 weeks 30

Do the Programs Use a Specific Model or Are Affiliated with a National Organization?

Use of Model Programs

Model Program Affiliation w/National Organization/Program

Program Providing Model

Nurturing the Families of Louisiana (TM) (1)

Nurturing Parenting Programs (R) by Family Development Resources Inc.

Nurturing the Families of Louisiana (TM)

Nurturing Families Program (2)

1 Program-The Families Nurturing Centers, Inc.

(1)Nurturing Parenting

(2)Teaching Appropriate Parenting Skills (TAPS)

Nurturing Father’s Program (1)

Best Dads

Use of Model ProgramsMODEL PROGRAM Affiliation w/National

Organization/ProgramProgram Providing Model

Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool

Youngsters (HIPPY) (1)

HIPPY USA HIPPY

Parents as Teachers Program (1)

Parents as Teachers National Center

Parents as Teachers Program

Healthy Families

America

(1)

Healthy Start Assoc., Healthy Families Am., National Rural Health Assoc., Nat. AHEC Org.

Healthy Start ABC’s

Based on Nat. Assoc. for the Educ. Of Young Children (1)

Project SHARE

Use of Model ProgramsModel Program Affiliation with

National Organization / Program

Program Providing Model

Active Parenting Now

(2)

Active Parenting Publishing

(1) Active Parenting Now

(2) Common Sense Parenting for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Partners for a Healthy Baby (1)

Florida State University

Family Road Healthy Start

Right From Birth

(2)

(1) Healthy Start ABC’s

(2) Northeast LA Positive Parenting Project

Effective Black Parenting

(2)

(1) Healthy Start ABC’s

(2) Northeast LA Positive Parenting Project

Use of Model Programs

Model Program Affiliation w/Nat. Organization/

Program

Program Providing Model

Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) (1)

Smart Discipline (1)

Active Parenting (1)

Northeast LA Positive Parenting Project

Nursing Child Assessment Satellite Training (1)

Best Start

Family Strengthening Model (1)

National Extension Parent Education Model (1)

Clemson, Kansas State and LSU

Parents Preparing for Success Program

Use of Model Programs

Model Program Affiliation w/Nat. Organization/Program

Program Providing Model

Baby Think It Over (1)

Safe Sitter (1)

Parenting Made Possible

Learning Triangle, Parenting Counts Emotion Coaching, Success for Families Curriculum, Creative Curriculum (1)

PBS Ready to Lead in Literacy

Ready to Lead in Literacy

Bowdin method (1) Even Start Bowdin

Developed own format. First in US to target adolescent parents in correctional facilities. Sited by Dept. of Justice.

Institutional Parenting

Do the Programs Measure Outcomes?

Outcome Measurement

79% Evaluation Form Completed by Participants

62% Direct Observation 51% Pre/Post Test Designed for the

Program

Outcome Measurement

35% Evaluation Completed by Staff 31% General Pre/Post Test 7% Did not measure outcomes One program—annual independent

evaluation

Are the Programs Accredited, Credentialed or Certified?

Accredited, Credentialed, Certified Programs

Program Accredited, Credentialed or Certified

By Whom

Nurturing Parenting Programs (R) as a whole

Credentialed Recognized by SAMHSA, CSAP, Nat. Registry of Effective Programs & Practices

Teaching Appropriate Parenting Skills

Recognized by SAMHSA, CSAP, OJJDP

Nurturing Parenting Credentialed Dr. Stephen Bavolek

Parents As Teachers Certified Parents as Teachers National Center

Accredited, Credentialed, Certified Programs

Program Accredited, Credentialed or Certified

By Whom

Ready to Lead in Literacy Credentialed

Certified

Public Broadcasting System

Healthy Start ABC’s Accredited

Credentialed

Healthy Start Association, Healthy Families America, National Rural Health Association, National AHEC Organization

Family Resources for Early Education

Accredited DSS

Requirements for Accredited, Credentialed or Certified Programs

Program Requirements

Parents As Teachers

A Parents as Teachers: Born to Learn Program must complete the following steps for certification: 1. Submit a Preliminary Program Plan 2. Register for Training 3. Attend the Born to Learn Institute 4. Submit a Final Program Plan 5. Submit an Annual Report to recertify each year.

Family Resources for Early Education

All trainers must have a CDA , AD, BA or BS with five are more years working with children .

Ready to Lead in Literacy

The national PBS teaching model is used, meets the national state child care standards (Headstart standards), incorporates the Creative Curriculum, and outcomes are measured.

Requirements for Accredited, Credentialed or Certified Programs

Program Requirements

Nurturing Parenting

Training by Prevent Child Abuse LA and/or Dr. Bavolek

Parents Preparing for Success Program

Approved by a panel of University Specialists in the area of family development

What Are the Background and Training of the Parenting Educators?

Parenting EducatorLevel of Education

198 Parenting Educators for 29 programs No Educator had below a GED/High School Degree 40 Educators had Master’s Degrees 2 Educators had Doctorate’s Degrees

Parenting Educators’ Credentials

Of the 198 Educators 2 American Association of Marriage and

Family Therapists 3 Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists 3 Certified Family Life Educators 8 Certified in Family and Consumer

Sciences 4 Child Development Associates

Parenting Educators’Credentials (continued)

Of the 198 total Educators 9 RN’s 12 Licensed Professional Counselors 15 Teacher Certification 38 Social Work Certification Other

Curriculum Trained Parent Educator Certified Parent Educators Masters of Education in Community Counseling 3 Reading Specialists 1 HIV/STD Counselor; 1 Sickle-Cell Counselor

Specific Training for Parenting Educators 17 of the 29 (59%) programs required specific

training PRIOR to teaching in the program: One program: 58 hours Three programs: 40 hours One program: 30 hours Three programs: 20-25 hours Three programs: 16 hours Two Programs: 9-10 hours Two programs: 8 hours Two programs: 6 hours

Specific Training for Parenting Educators 16 of the 29 (55%) programs required

specific ANNUAL training One program 50 hours Two programs 30-32 hours Three programs 16-20 hours Three programs 15 hours One program 18 hours Two programs 10-12 hours Two programs 6-8 hours

Specific Training for Parenting Educators

Specific Annual Training One program: 5-6 hours/week for 9 months One program:

Year 1 20 hours Year 2 15 hours Year 3+ 10 hours

Program Specific Educator Certification

Program Educator Certification Required

High Risk Infant Program

CPR

Parenting Made Possible

Safe Sitter Certification

Teaching Appropriate Parenting Skills

2 day training with emphasis on the Nurturing Concept of Parenting

Program Specific Educator Certification

Program Educator Certification Required

Parents as Teachers Program

-Attend 5 day Born to Learn Institute

-Maintain annual certification by:Deliver min. PAT services of five families/year with 5 visits eachMaintain records that contribute to the Annual Program ReportEarn professional development hours relating to child development and parenting issues specifically related to early childhood: Year 1:20 hours/ Year 2: 15 hours /Year 3+ 10 hours

What Professional Organizations Do the Parenting EducatorsBelong to?

Professional Organizations of the Parenting Educators National Association for the Education of Young

Children Family and Consumer Science educator-

national teen pregnancy and parenting organization

Black Alliance for Educational Options Louisiana Parent Congress Parent as Teachers Louisiana State Office Active Parenting

Professional Organizations of the Parenting Educators

CYFAR Children, Youth, Families at Risk Families in the Balance Knapsack Healthy Marriage Initiative Prevent Child Abuse LAFCS and NEA National Black Child Development

Institute National Reading Association

Are These Programs Voluntary or Mandatory?

Voluntary/Mandatory

13 programs are voluntary 7 programs are mandatory 9 programs are both voluntary

and mandatory

Mandatory Programs

Programs are mandated by: Office of Community Service/Courts

(8 programs) Office of Family Support (2 programs) Requirement in order to receive child care and

adult education benefits (2 programs) Part of hospital discharge process

(1 program) Probation Office (1 program) Families in Need of Services (1 program)

Voluntary Programs

Sources of Referrals Community Based Organizations

(17 programs) Schools (16 programs) Self-Referral (15 programs) Office of Community Services (13

programs)

Voluntary Programs

Sources of Referrals: Court (8 programs) Office of Family Support (7 programs) Pediatrician (6 programs) Child care centers (2 programs) Obstetrician, Office of Youth Development,

Attorneys, Hospitals, Christian Community Action (1 program each)

Conclusions

Transportation is a major barrier to parents’ attending the programs.

More programs may be needed that target pregnant women (the prenatal period).

A large number of the programs may have too few contact hours/intensity to impact high risk families.

Conclusions

There are a number of nationally recognized model programs being used in Louisiana, including Nurturing Parenting Programs ®, HIPPY, and Parents as Teachers.

There are also a number of other curriculums being used, including Active Parenting NOW, Right from Birth, STEP, Effective Black Parenting and others.

There may be issues of fidelity to the models/curriculums.

Conclusions

Few programs reported that they were accredited, credentialed or certified in any way. Of those that reported they were, few of these had to fulfill specific requirements for that distinction.

A large number of programs (41%) reported no specific training requirements for their parenting educators prior to teaching, and a large number (45%) reported no specific annual training for their educators.

Conclusions

Only four programs reported any sort of certification for their parenting educators.

There is no statewide organization to support parenting educators.

Conclusions

All parishes are served by parenting education programs for parents of young children, but beyond the three statewide programs, the coverage seems inconsistent throughout the state.

State funding for these programs spans four different state departments, but there is no coordinating body for parenting education.