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Topic: Parent Training Programs that Address Child Abuse and Neglect

Scientific Ratings in this topic:

1 - Well-Supported by Research Evidence

2 - Supported by Research Evidence

3 - Promising Research Evidence

4 - Evidence Fails to Demonstrate Effect

5 - Concerning Practice

NR - Not able to be Rated

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Definition for Parent Training Programs that Address Child Abuse and Neglect:

Parent Training Programs that Address Child Abuse and Neglect are defined by the CEBC as parent training services for parents/caregivers that have a goal of reducing the risk of abuse or neglect. Click here to see the overall Parent Training Programs topic area page.

  • Target population: Parents who need assistance with general parenting skills to reduce the risk of abuse or neglect with a focus on changing the individual parent's behavior
  • Services/types that fit: Direct intervention with parents in individual or group formats delivered face-to-face, via internet, or through recorded media (e.g., videos)
  • Delivered by: Trained paraprofessionals, educators, or mental health professionals
  • In order to be included: The overall focus of the program must be on parent training and have a goal of reducing the risk of child abuse and neglect (i.e., the program may have multiple goals with reducing the risk of child abuse and neglect being one of them).
  • In order to be rated: There must be research evidence (as specified by the Scientific Rating Scale) that examines outcomes in parenting behavior (e.g., decreases in abusive behaviors, use of harsh discipline, etc.) and/or reductions in child abuse or neglect (e.g., reduction in re-reports, self-reports of maltreatment, etc.)
Downloadable Topic Area Summary

Programs in this Topic Area

The programs listed below have been reviewed by the CEBC and, if appropriate, been rated using the Scientific Rating Scale.

Four Programs with a Scientific Rating of 2 - Supported by Research Evidence:

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Five Programs with a Scientific Rating of 3 - Promising Research Evidence:

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Six Programs with a Scientific Rating of NR - Not able to be Rated:

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Why was this topic chosen by the Advisory Committee?


The Parent Training Programs that Address Child Abuse and Neglect topic area is relevant to child welfare because parents of children in the child welfare system are often required or encouraged to attend parent training programs. There are specific parent training programs that have been studied, for which there is evidence of efficacy, and which are applicable to the child welfare population. It is critical for us to know what works for families. If counties and courts are aware of what programs work in improving parent functioning they will be able to prescribe effective programs and avoid using programs that have no demonstrated positive impact on parental functioning.

Danna Fabella, Director, Federal Linkages
Child & Family Policy Institute of California
Sacramento, CA

Stuart Oppenheim, Executive Director
Child & Family Policy Institute of California
Sacramento Office
Sacramento, CA

Deborah Reeves
Former CEBC Advisory Committee Member

Topic Expert

When the CEBC launched in 2006, Parent Training Programs was one of its two original topic areas. Richard Barth, PhD, was the topic expert and was involved in identifying and rating any of the programs with an original load date of June 2006 (as found on the bottom of the program's page on the CEBC). The topic area has grown over the years and in 2016, the topic area was split and expanded. All of the Parent Training Programs that Address Child Abuse and Neglect added since 2006 were identified by CEBC staff, the Scientific Panel, and/or the Advisory Committee. For these programs, Dr. Barth was not involved in identifying or rating them.