Poster #105 - Adaptation of Chicago Parent Program for Kinship and Foster Caregivers: A Qualitative Study

• In Event: Poster Session 01

Abstract

Foster (licensed and kinship) caregivers face multiple challenges with managing behavior in young children, often without support, leading to caregiver stress and burnout, requests to have children move to another home (i.e., placement changes; Aarons et al., 2010), and disruptions to healthy development. Promoting safe, stable, and nurturing relationships helps to buffer the impact of trauma and adversity on child behavior and development (Garner et al., 2021). However, few existing evidence-based prevention programs are available to mitigate these adverse outcomes and alter trajectories for children in foster care (Schoemaker et al., 2020). The Chicago Parent Program (CPP) is an evidence-based, parent-directed, 12-session prevention program developed with diverse caregivers in a variety of settings. While the fundamental behavioral skill components of CPP are applicable to foster caregivers, adaptations are required to incorporate the unique experiences of these caregivers. To address this gap, CPP was delivered to foster caregivers, and interviews were performed to examine the effectiveness of CPP for this population.

Data came from foster caregivers (licensed, n = 2; kinship, n = 3) who completed the CPP (11 concurrent weekly sessions, 1 one-month booster). Participants included 5 caregivers ages 27-61 (Mage = 41, SD = 13); all identified as African American (3 mothers, 2 fathers). Caregivers completed between 9 and 11 sessions (higher than the published average of 6.7-7.5; Gross et al., 2009; Gross, et al., 2019), and all graduated from the program. Qualitative interviews were conducted with caregivers by authors 3 and 5 to provide feedback on CPP. Interviews were transcribed and coded by authors 1 and 2 utilizing grounded theory.

Three major themes and 11 subthemes were identified (Figure 1): 1. CPP content was generally relevant and applicable to caregivers; 2. Recommendations for implementation and structure improvements; and 3. Content adaptations for foster caregivers. Generalizable aspects of content included Child Centered Time (i.e., 15 minutes of dedicated time with caregiver and child), If/Then statements (i.e., stating what caregiver will do if a child does not comply with a command), Ignoring Negative Behaviors (i.e., not responding to undesired behavior), and Emphasizing Positive Attachments to Build Connections. Implementation and Structure Improvements included a need for trauma-focused training for CPP leaders, accessible time and delivery of the intervention, and including family of origin and caregivers in training. Content adaptations included a request for examples across broader developmental phases, supplemental materials to remind caregivers of key CPP content, audio recordings of sessions, and modified content customized to licensed and kinship caregivers. Together, findings suggest that licensed and kinship caregivers could benefit from an adapted version of the Chicago Parent Program. Our discussion will focus on the specific modifications and directions that are needed in understanding the feasibility and effectiveness of an adapted intervention.

Authors

• Elizabeth Marie Hamik, Cincinnati Children's Hospital
  Presenting Author

• Anne E Berset, Cincinnati Children's Hospital

• Katie Nause

• Mary V Greiner, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

• Sarah Joy Beal, Cincinnati Children's Hospital