Evidence-based Parenting Education: A Global Perspective

James J. Ponzetti Jr Routledge, Aug 14, 2015 – FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS – 368 pages

This is the first book to provide a multidisciplinary, critical, and global overview of evidence-based parenting education (PEd) programs. Readers are introduced to the best practices for designing, implementing, and evaluating effective PEd programs in order to teach clients how to be effective parents. Noted contributors from various disciplines examine evidence –based programs from the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, as well as web-based alternatives. The best practices used in a number of venues are explored.  (Nobody’s Perfect is featured in this textbook).  More information

 

An Evaluation of the Nobody’s Perfect Parenting Program

Berna J. Skrypnek & Julianna Charchun. Published by FRP Canada.

In 2009 a Canada wide, community-based impact study was completed of Nobody’s Perfect by the Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs and the University of Alberta.

The study found that Nobody’s Perfect results in “key changes in parents that…reduce the risk of their families experiencing crises”. The study noted several fundamental changes in the parenting behaviours of mothers and fathers who participated in a Nobody’s Perfect parenting group. They included an increased use of positive discipline techniques and a reduced frequency of negative or punitive discipline. There was an increase in the frequency of positive parent-child interactions and the parent’s ability to problem solve.  The parent’s reported that their confidence and ability to cope with stress improved.  They also became more aware of the social supports in their community.  Full Report

 

A Reappraisal of the Nobody’s Perfect Program

Deborah J. Kennett, Gail Chislett, and Ashley L. S. Olver.

Published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies, February 2011

A reappraisal of the Nobody’s Perfect program was completed from 2007-2009 in Ontario.  The study looked back on the previous study in Peterborough, Ontario that was released in 2006.  That evaluation found that the more sessions the parents attended the more likely they had a higher sense of effective parenting competence. In summary, NPP is concerned with preparing parents to get along in the world to be more resourceful, better able to cope, and more self-sufficient, leading to better care for their children.  The resourcefulness components are arguably the most important parental outcomes of those studied, as it implies a greater ability to cope, more successful adaptation to changing circumstances and better self-sufficiency. Most importantly, they are attributes which do not decline during the parenting years, but build with life experience. Full Report

 

Nobody’s Perfect Home Visitors Adaptation of a 1:1 & ‘Virtual’ Group Delivery Project Parent Outcome Evaluation Report.

2013 Carmen Paterson-Payne

Funding provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa

Results from the Skyrpnek (2009) evaluation demonstrated that the Nobody’s Perfect program is effective in reaching most of its program objectives of: increased parent resourcefulness, better parent-child interactions, less punitive parenting and more knowledge of available supports. This unique adaptation showed the same results, even though parents did not attend a group in person but participated with others ‘virtually’ by a facilitated approach, in their own home.  Because of the results of the study, this pioneering process of program delivery will now provide leadership in promoting alternative ways to facilitate Nobody’s Perfect. The strength of Nobody’s Perfect, no matter how it is delivered, is the participants.  Because it is a participant centered, strength based program, parents feel normalized by hearing from other parents even when they do not communicate face to face. Based on the success of the Nobody’s Perfect ‘virtual’ group process, an adaptation on a one to one delivery group module was written and added to the revised Nobody’s Perfect Parenting Program: Facilitator Guide. Full Report

 

Exporting a Canadian parenting education program to the Dominican Republic

McLennan JD, Leon T, Haffey S, Barker LA.

Public Health Nursing Journal. 2009 Mar-Apr;26(2):183-91

The framework of Nobody’s Perfect was used to develop a new parent education program offered to parents attending a child nutrition rehabilitation program in the Dominican Republic. This paper describes the development, implementation and parenting program that resulted from this initiative. Full Report

 

The Effects of the Nobody’s Perfect Program on Parenting Resourcefulness and Competency 2006

Gail Chislett & Deborah J. Kennett

An evaluation of the Nobody’s Perfect program was conducted in Peterborough, Ontario involving 71 participants. Parents completed a set of questions before and two months after attending the Nobody’s Perfect program. The study found that parents who completed the Nobody’s Perfect program maintained an increase in parenting resourcefulness, warm/positive parent-child interactions, a sense of competency and satisfaction, and use of community resources. It was also found that the more classes the parents attended the higher the increase of these skills.  Early parent training increased the positive outcomes for the children increasing the positive change in child behaviour. Full Report

 

Nobody’s Perfect Program Review

Prepared for Health Canada; Population & Public Health Branch.  Ardene Robinson Vollman

A review of the Nobody’s Perfect Program was completed in 2001 to determine the need for a national evaluation. Previous evaluations demonstrated that the program had a significant impact on parents and facilitators and resulted in participants who are committed and passionate about Nobody’s Perfect. The review found that continuing provincial and local evaluations was a good approach instead of conducting one large national evaluation. They concluded that creating a network with consistent evaluation methods across programs and provinces with regular reporting and sharing would be an effective way to build upon the success of Nobody’s Perfect programs. Full Report

 

An Evaluation of the Nobody’s Perfect Parenting Program in Ontario 1998

Irving Rootman, Michael Goodstadt, Nancy Weir, Safoura Moazami, Victoria Barr, Gordon Walsh.

The Ontario government completed a short-term evaluation of the well-established Nobody’s Perfect program in the province. The research focused on the short-term changes in parent participants of Nobody’s Perfect Programs in six regions of Ontario. The study interviewed parents and facilitators. Parents reported several areas where they made positive parenting changes after attending the program. These included an increased affection for their children; increased confidence and competence as a parent; using new solutions in their home; a shift away from punitive discipline to positive disciplining methods; and increased peer support. The facilitator’s reported that they believed the program is a suitable and effective program for parents. Conclusions and recommendations from the study were to; continue to support and fund the Nobody’s Perfect program throughout Ontario; to include extra sessions on child behaviour where possible; to ensure funding for the effective delivery of the program and to provide funding for ongoing evaluation. Full Report

 

Nobody’s Perfect Manitoba Outcome Evaluation Highlights of the Final Report 2002

Prepared for Manitoba Nobody’s Perfect Advisory Committee.

Prepared by Leskiw and Associates

Findings from this report found that it is interesting to note why individual participants come to Nobody’s Perfect.  While the majority seek help to become stronger parents, or to learn how to solve problems, (expectations that the program clearly meets) a significant number also indicate that they had heard about the positive reputation of the program.  Given the findings of this assessment, the reputation is obviously well deserved. The facilitator training and the comprehensive and flexible nature of the programming are seen to be key strengths.  The materials are well organized, cover a broad range of topics that meet the expectations of the participants, and remain with the participants to reinforce further learning. Opportunities to strengthen the impact and effectiveness of the program revolve around efforts to support the facilitators that deliver Nobody’s Perfect.  Enhancing the materials, examples and experiences of a committed group of facilitators and support agencies will continue to enhance the capacity of the program to serve. Full Report

 

We are grateful to the Public Health Agency of Canada for the ongoing support of the Nobody’s Perfect program. The Public Health Agency of Canada is not responsible for the content of any external resource or websites.

“Nobody’s Perfect Parenting... support for moms and dads with children from birth to five.”