Kendal Gott FCST 423

I would use the Parent Education Core Curriculum Framework criteria list, provided in our textbook, when selecting a parenting education program:

1. "Frames or defines the body of knowledge in the field of parent education;

2. Is applicable across the field of parent education with any type of parent education program, population, setting, and delivery mode;

3. Is a planning tool for development and delivery of parent education curriculum and lesson plans;

4. Identifies the intended content and objectives of parent education;

5. Provides guidance for parent goal-setting in parent education;

6. Guides assessment of parent education outcomes and programs;

7. Promotes accountability in parent education programs and with individual parent educators; and

8. Informs practice in parent education (p.285)."

According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, “There are many parent education programs that aim to strengthen families and help prevent child abuse and neglect. Many of these programs and their outcomes have been evaluated and rated for their scientific basis. Funding sources often require agencies to use programs that are evidence-based or evidence-informed (p. 5).” I feel that evidence-based programs are going to be more accredited and acceptable to agencies.  Therefore, I do feel that evidence-based programs are better.

Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2013). Parent education to strengthen families and reduce the risk of         maltreatment. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau.

Darling, C.A., & Cassidy, D. (2014). Family Life Education: Working with Families across the Lifespan, Third           Edition. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, Inc. 285.