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.