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| The
Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities
Parent Training Program requires facilitators
to implement a 32-item Pre/Post Questionnaire as
part of the Program’s Evaluation Process. Because
Program Developers were unable to conduct research
using clinical trials and control groups, the SMEFC
program was rated in 1997 and 1999 as "Promising" by
CSAP, the Office of Juvenile Delinquency, and SAMHSA.
The SMEFC Program is not listed on SAMHSA’s National
Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP).
The information documented in Program Evaluations,
Qualitative Summaries, Project Reports and Published
Articles provides substantial evidence of SMEFC’s effectiveness.
When compared to top programs in the US and in the
UK (with extensive research validation and documentation),
the Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families
and Communities Program was found to
be AS effective (and in some cases - most effective). |
NREPP’S
Rating System |
NREPP rates programs for
(a) level of scientific sophistication, and (b) ability
to disseminate materials and training. They are not accepting
additional programs until October 2009.
NREPP states:
“Policymakers, and funders in particular, are
discouraged from limiting contracted providers and/or
potential grantees to selecting only among NREPP
interventions.” |
| Assessment with Different Ethnic/Cultural Groups |
| Many different factors can influence parent ratings
and program results. Although statistical analyses
attempt to control for many of these factors, it is
important that we continue to look at the appropriateness
of different types of assessments and rating scales
for parents from different backgrounds. We should be
cautious in our interpretations and creative in how
results are presented.
The Monograph: Parenting Styles and Program
Impact presents the results of over 3,000
parent pre/post questionnaires. Significant results
for each item are graphically depicted for six
different comparison groups. Evaluation results
have been replicated in the UK. |
| Qualitative Assessment Provides Direction |
| In 2007, The City of Greater Dandenong, Australia,
trained facilitators to implement the SMEFC program in
nine different ethnic communities. Australian facilitators
describe program impact and share insights on issues
specific to their particular communities. A second series
of classes begins September 2008. |
| Three SAMHSA Documents Provide Evidence of
SMEFC’s Effectiveness |
| 32 programs were showcased as part of SAMHSA’s Family
Strengthening Initiative. In 2000, a total of
32 grantees (30%) choose SMEFC (Cohort I), and in
2001, 16 grantees (50%) choose SMEFC (Cohort II).
SAMHSA’s Cohort I Final Report documents
the selection process and grantee satisfaction with
their program choice.
SAMHSA’s Cohort II Final Report documents
the ability of each of the top programs to impact the
study’s four core variables.
The Published Article "Test of Efficacy" documents
significant differences between the top four programs
in their ability to impact core variables.’ |
| Two Follow-Up Studies Include Validity Ratings |
| Two Cohort II projects calculated reliability/validity
ratings (.70 to .85) for the three constructs measured
by the SMEFC assessment tool. These same projects conducted
follow-ups at 10 weeks (Kennedy Center) and six months
(Luz Services). |
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