Evidence-based Parent Training with Families in the Child Welfare System: Agency and Parent Perspectives on Feasibility and Outcomes by Erin J. Maher, Ph.D., Director of Program Evaluation, and Lovie J. Jackson, MSW, Research Analyst, Casey Family Programs, Seattle, WA

This presentation shares findings from a mixed-methods evaluation of an evidence-based parent training model, the Incredible Years, with caregivers who are court-ordered to attend parent education. The study included qualitative interviews with agency staff about successes and challenges of implementation in child welfare agencies, and pre/post-tests evaluating parenting outcomes. Participants in the first two groups (N=20) were mostly African American, female, and living in low household incomes. Preliminary results from the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory suggest that caregivers are in the moderate range for risk of abusive parenting and that empathizing with children's needs should be a training priority. The presentation will also include results on program feasibility, parent perceptions of program strengths, and parent changes in social support, parenting stress, and parenting skills/ behaviors stemming from program participation.