1. The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program Symposium Triple P Implementation in Alberta December 8, 2009

2. Presentation Objectives Why is Supporting Parenting Critical? Why Triple P? Implementation of Triple P in Alberta

3. Supporting Parenting: What the Research Tells Us

4. “ The single most important thing we can do to prevent serious behavioural and emotional problems and abuse of children is to increase the confidence, skills, and knowledge of parents in the task of raising children at a population level.” - Dr. Matt Sanders

5. Why Triple P?

6. Triple P “fit” with Alberta Children and Youth Services Business Plan 2009-2012: Core Business 1: Prevention: Promoting the development and well- being of children, youth and families –Goal 1: Children and youth will have a healthy start in life and the supports they need to reach their potential Strategy 1.8: Build on, strengthen and integrate early childhood development services, childhood development screening, parent education, and family supports through the Parent Link Centre Initiative to foster optimal child development and promote family well- being.

7. Core Business 2: Preservation and Protection: Keeping children, youth and families safe and protected –Goal 2: Families will be safe, healthy and able to promote children’s development Strategy 2.2: Implement Safe Communities pilot projects in Parent Link Centres to address child and family risk factors associated with the development of antisocial behaviour.

8. Reaching Vulnerable and At-Risk Families National Invest in Kids Survey National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth Alberta Benchmark Survey: What Adults Know About Child Development Cascading Model of Support: Providing families the customized support they need, when they need it, at the intensity they require

9. Safe Communities Initiative The origins of antisocial and criminal behaviour can be traced to early childhood The consequences of antisocial behaviour are serious and costly A key protective factor in preventing antisocial behaviour is quality parenting in the early years “This is where we have the best chance of preventing crime before it happens- by supporting families, building positive skills in children and youth and getting them the support they need before they get in trouble with the law.”

10. Implementation of Triple P in Alberta

11. 2007: Initiation of two concurrent pilots: Early Childhood Development Initiatives: Triple P Level 2 Seminars and Level 3 Primary Care (both including Teen) in PLCs Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD): Stepping Stones Triple P

12. TRIPLE P In Parent Link Centres Early Childhood Development Initiatives

13. Staged Roll Out of Training and Implementation of Triple P in Parent Link Centres In 2007-08, Levels 2 and 3 into 20 PLC pilot sites in Regions 3, 6, & 7 In 2008-09, Level 4 Group training introduced to the same pilot sites In 2009-10, training in Level 2 and Level 3 Triple P extended to all 46 PLCs across Alberta In 2010-2011, additional training planned as well as the development of a communication and media strategy

14. Triple P in Parent Link Centres Triple P Level 1 Community Level Strategies Level 2 Brief Consultations & Seminars Level 3 Primary Care & Primary Care Teen Level 4 Group & Group Teen Level 5

15. Why in Parent Link Centres?

16. PLCs: Easily Accessible, Community- based Service “Hubs” PLCs are part of a well-established provincial initiative, with standards and guidelines for service delivery In regular contact with families Have regular discussions with parents about child development, behavioural issues, and parenting practices

17. Parent Link Centres… Are reaching families early Are reaching families from a broad distribution of socio-economic statuses Are successful at retaining family involvement frequently and over time

18. What Parents have to say… “It changed our lives and built my confidence as a wife + mother. These classes came at a time in my life when I needed them most.” “Parent Link is a great resource for parents who feel overwhelmed and need some advice. I felt at first that I was doing the wrong thing to seek help for my little boy...everyone said he'd outgrow his stage of aggression...but I am glad I did seek the advice and help I got. “

19. “…after completing the Triple P program parenting has become a lot less stressful and more enjoyable for the children and I. I really enjoy every minute with my children now and they listen so much better. The ongoing support from The Parent Link Centre is wonderful and I am grateful they were able to help my family.”

20. What Practitioners have to say… “Triple P has really filled a gap in our PLC. It is reassuring to know that a family can approach any of the three trained facilitators and that family will receive the same effective and non-confrontational parenting strategies.” “I am growing to love how easily other resources fit with Triple P and the ease of implementation. It is a great way to mentor new facilitators because we have the same training and can work easily together (not tons of prep time).” “Triple P gives our Parent Link Centre services to offer parents that are well founded. Triple P offers something for everyone, whether you are really struggling or just looking for more information.”

21. Moving Forward

22. 2009-10 Pilot Project – Partnership with CFSA One CFSA selected to pilot the introduction of Levels 4 - Individual and Level 5 (Enhanced Triple P and Pathways Triple P)

23. Update on Triple P Evaluation In partnership with the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research (ACCFCR) Research team from University of Alberta: “Integrating Triple P into Parent Link Centres: A Process and Outcomes Evaluation” The project is being carried out in two stages: –Interviews with PLC staff and directors/administrators –Parent Surveys

24. TRIPLE P STEPPING STONES FAMILY SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

25. In 2007, the Family Support for Children with Disabilities program launched a pilot of the Triple P Stepping Stones program in 3 regions: Edmonton, Calgary and the North Central region. The Stepping Stones program was provided to families who requested support in managing their child’s behaviour.

26. Stepping Stones Triple P Level 1Level 2 Level 3 Stepping Stones Level 4 Stepping Stones Level 5

27. It is widely recognized that children with disabilities are at greater risk of developing significant behavioural and emotional problems The Triple P Stepping Stones programs aims to help parents develop effective management strategies for dealing with a variety of childhood behaviour and developmental issues The Stepping Stones program incorporates Triple P parenting training methods and introduces additional strategies drawn from disability research The Stepping Stones program has been demonstrated to be effective for children with intellectual and physical disabilities who have disruptive behavior

28. In September, 2009, Alberta Center for Child, Family and Community Research completed an evaluation of the Stepping Stones program in Alberta. The evaluation included interviews with 20 families who participated in the Stepping Stones program as well as from practitioners who delivered the program Overall, the satisfaction of the families interviewed was very high. The majority of the families reported that their needs had been met

29. This preliminary evaluation of the Stepping Stones program provided the following significant findings as reported by parents Parents learned many new parenting skills and as a result there was an improvement in their children’s behaviour Progress was also noted in the child’s other areas of developmental including their social skills Parents gained insight and confidence in their parenting approach and had improved relationships with their child Parents reported feeling empowered in parenting and that they were happier, less stressed, more patient and more relaxed

30. Some families reported an improvement in spousal relationship because the spouses were taking a consistent approach to parenting Families reported being less isolated because they could access more community resources after the child’s behaviour was controlled Four families expressed that involvement in this program decreased their likelihood of having to use child intervention services or long term psychiatric services

31. Comments from Parents “My daughter has special needs. We went through countless other programs like crazy. We were at a loss on what to do” “I find it easier now. I’m not always so stressed out with the kids. I’m a lot calmer. I don’t let things escalate. I don’t argue. We’re all just a lot happier” “the biggest thing, as a parent, I felt she was the problem. Let’s change her. Now, I need to change myself – how I respond, react to her and manage the situation. It’s better. Before I felt external, now I see I’m the ringmaster and I have more control than I thought I did. It’s empowering and positive” “(Our son’s) problems has changed a lot in the last little while. It was very helpful. He is very disciplined now and he knows how to listen. It is so different now” “We were in crisis and we had to physically restrain him. He could have been apprehended…It totally helped to avert a crisis.”

32. Comments from Practitioners “It quickly shifts parents into proactive rather than reactive mode and keeps narrowing the focus over time. They can see how they are pre-planning for success – that good behavior is not just a fluke.” “Once we see the behaviors improve, sometimes the child learns better and we see other aspects of their development improve by leaps and bounds.” “The parents are now looking at the children and focusing on what they are doing right, and now there is a positive focus on their relationship with the children.”

33. Family Support for Children with Disabilities Program is very excited about the potential impact of Stepping Stones for children with disabilities and their families The Family Support for Children with Disabilities program is considering options to make the Stepping Stones program available to more Alberta families who care for children with disabilities where behaviour issues are impeding the child in their daily activities and relationships

34. Small changes…big differences