The Training Process
Although our parent training is designed for the parents of children between 10 and 24 months of age, it can be modified to be appropriate for parents of younger children.
Involvement with the Infant Caregiver Project includes three distinct phases. Prior to receiving parent training, we spend 3 visits collecting research measures. After the completion of the initial research visits, we spend about an hour each week for 10 weeks with the caregiver for the parent training. An individually assigned parent trainer works with the family throughout the training. During the training sessions, the caregiver learns strategies for intervention with the child. Starting one month after the end of the training, we again collect research measures in order to assess the effectiveness of the program.
Pre-Training Research Visits
During the initial visit, we explain in detail the project and ask the caregiver to sign the informed consent form. We additionally ask the caregivers to complete questionnaires about their participating child and themselves.
During the second visit, we conduct an in depth interview with the caregiver about her experiences and attitudes with caregiving This visit is performed by a staff member specifically trained for the interview, and may or may not be with the assigned parent trainer.
During the third pre-training visit, we do a developmental assessment of the child using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. The caregiver is also asked to complete additional questionnaires.
Finally, we ask caregivers to collect saliva samples from the participating children for the assessment of cortisol. Cortisol is a chemical produced by our bodies in a regular pattern and in response to stress. We are interested in evaluating if children in the study are able to regulate this chemical and if that ability changes over time.
Participating caregivers are paid $25 or given a gift certificate of equivalent value for each of these visits and an additional $25 for completing the saliva sampling.
The Training
Once the initial research measures are completed, training with the assigned parent trainer begins. Typically, training consists of 10 separate weekly home visits. Visits typically last approximately 1 hour. Participating caregivers receive a certificate of participation stating the number of training hours completed and payment of $100 for completion of the training. The certificate and payment are normally received at the first post-training visit.
Post-Training Research Visits
Follow-up research visits to assess the effectiveness of the training are scheduled for one month following the end of the training and then annually around the time of the child’s birthday. While the assigned parent trainer will continue to check on the caregiver periodically, these post- training visits will be conducted by other research staff. Compensation for these visits is similar to that for the pre-training visits.
We are especially interested in evaluating the effectiveness of our training program by looking at the children over time. Please let us know when a child changes caregivers or moves. We will follow the child wherever they are placed, and will offer training to subsequent caregivers up until the child reaches 30 months of age. Even after the child is over 30 months old, we hope to have caregivers participate in the collection of research measures for the child..
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