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Evaluation of a Behavioral Parent Training Intervention Implementation Process in an Elementary School Setting

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Abstract
Challenging behavior in young children is a common concern. When it becomes persistent or pervasive in nature, intervention may be required to reduce its impact on the child’s development. Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) is an evidence-based method for addressing challenging behavior by training caregivers to serve as behavioral intervention providers. BPTs have been evaluated extensively in university and clinical settings; however, there remains a significant lag in diffusion of BPT to the real-world settings where these services can be more readily accessed by caregivers. Schools are an ideal setting for delivering BPT due to increased accessibility and reduced barriers, yet implementation challenges may be getting in the way of widespread use. The field of implementation science, which aims to bridge the research-to-practice gap, allows for systematic, empirical evaluation and documentation of implementation efforts. As part of the 2017-2021 Family Engagement Project, our research team partnered with two school districts in Western Massachusetts to deliver a BPT program called Helping Our Toddlers, Developing Our Children’s Skills (HOT DOCS) to families raising children with challenging behavior. The current study is a retrospective evaluation of the implementation process of the HOT DOCS program in a school setting. Mixed method approach was employed, with the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) constructs under the Implementation Process domain serving as the foundation for data analyses. Key findings highlight the importance of team collaboration, tailoring of strategies to meet the specific needs of facilitators and caregivers, and the critical role of contextual factors such as logistical support and participant engagement. In addition, successful implementation of a school-based BPT program requires careful planning and ongoing assessment of needs. Recommendations for future research include expanding the scope of data collection and enhancing the implementation documentation procedures. Practice-related recommendations emphasize the importance of leveraging the school setting, prioritizing recruitment and retention of participants, and streamlining facilitation procedures to maximize efficiency, fidelity, and engagement.
Type
Dissertation (Open Access)
Date
2025-02
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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