Evaluating the Chicago Parent Program for Foster and Kinship Caregivers to Reduce Behavior Problems in Young Foster Children

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of the Chicago Parent Program adapted for foster and kinship caregivers CPP-FC on caregiver skills and behavior problems in young children placed in foster care. This study compares CPP-FC with standard support services provided through child welfare and healthcare systems to see if the program helps reduce child behavior issues and caregiver stress. The trial is a randomized controlled study involving 300 caregiver-child pairs, focusing on children aged 2 to under 9 years old. The study involves two groups one receives the CPP-FC intervention consisting of 12 two-hour virtual sessions over 16 weeks, including group discussions, videos, role plays, and homework designed to improve parenting skills. The other group receives usual care, which includes standard services from county agencies, healthcare clinics, and licensing agencies. Licensed caregivers also continue to receive their usual support and evaluations throughout the study. Participants will be assessed at baseline, 3 months mid-point, and 6 months follow-up using measures of parental stress, parenting confidence, child behavior, and self-regulation. Data are collected through caregiver reports and observations to capture changes in parenting abilities and child outcomes. The study also tracks placement stability over 12 months. The total participation duration covers the intervention and follow-up assessments to understand the programs impact on foster care families.

Chicago Parent Program for Foster and Kinship Caregivers