Research & Evaluation ...
In many respects, the real "experts" are the parents, teachers, counselors and others who have used Families for Prevention ® and its related materials successfully over the years. Nevertheless, it is important to know that all the materials we present have been developed by leading authorities in parenting and child care. We have worked closely with experts from Girls and Boys Town USA, the Harvard School of Public Health, the Hazelden Foundation and others to produce these exceptional materials. It is no wonder that the formal research and evaluations have born out the experience of individual families, parents and children ...
A Retrospective Evaluation of the Bakersfield Experience
Accountability & Development Associates, Inc.
July 1997
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A total of 1,224 parents of students in grades 6, 7, and 8 from two middle schools in Bakersfield (CA) completed surveys regarding their earlier experiences with EXPERIENCE EDUCATION's Families for Prevention program and, more specifically, the fifth grade part of the program, Practical Prevention. The overall return rate of 61%, including high percentages of both Hispanic and White parents, confirmed that the program had contributed in a significant and lasting manner to their families and, more specifically, to their relationships with their children.
Almost three-fourths (71%) of responding parents reported participating in the program, even though their involvement had taken place one, two, or three years ago, when their student was in the 5th grade. Of the program participants, 86% had viewed the 5th grade video tape on how to conduct a family meeting and the benefits of holding family meetings. Seventy-three percent (73%) had held at least one family meeting as a result of the video, and over half (53%) reported that they continue to hold family meetings.
Parents were highly supportive of the usefulness of the program, with 52% judging it as "very useful," and 42% reporting it as "somewhat useful." Analysis of data by grade level and total population confirmed that, as a result of the Families for Prevention program, parents talk to their children more (53%), try to set a good example (45%), spend more time with their children (44%), give their children more responsibilities (43%), plan more family activities (34%), and try not to criticize and complain so much (28%).
Comments from over 300 parents provided further testimony to the value of the program as well as additional insights into positive changes they had implemented and/or experienced.
The following conclusions are discussed in the report:
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The Bakersfield experience demonstrates a successful model for reaching parents through the use of Families for Prevention video tapes.
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Parents reported many important benefits from the use of the video tapes, including holding family meetings, with observed improvements in communication, increased contentment and family unity, increased family activities, and improved understanding.
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The Families for Prevention video tapes appear to be useful to a broad spectrum of parents.
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The Families for Prevention experience appears to be durable over time, with large numbers of parents reporting continued benefit as much as three years after program involvement.
In summary, it is apparent from parents' survey responses and comments that the Families for Prevention program was extremely effective, reflected exceptional success, and had considerable lasting impact on participating families.
1-800-477-4236
Copyright 2005, Experience Education, Inc.
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AUDIO tapes for parents of children birth - 5 years ~ Distributed via Day Care Centers, Schools, and Work Places for personal use
PRODUCED BY EXPERIENCE EDUCATION'S CHILD CARE EXPERT BETH GAUSMAN
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