The State of Parent Training: Program Offerings and Empirical Support

Abstract

Parent training programs, with a range of empirical support, are available to improve parenting skills and reduce child behavior problems. Yet, little is known about programs provided in typical communities. This pilot study's purpose was to identify and describe parent programs–-and the agencies that provide them–-in one midsized Midwestern city. The sample included 21 program directors and 25 practitioners employed by 19 agencies. Data were gathered using structured phone interviews. Of the 35 programs represented, 37.1% were developed by the agency, while close to two thirds were previously developed interventions. Only a small number of the parent programs identified were classified into the category of strong empirical support; however, several included hallmarks often associated with empirically supported parent programs.