TRAINING FOSTER PARENTS TO BE TEACHERS OF LIFE SKILLS

本计划的目标是为养父母开发、制作及评估一套以家庭为基础的多媒体训练计划，以帮助养子成功地独立生活。第一阶段通过一个生活技能主题提供了该方法有效性的证据。在第二阶段，我们将把生活技能主题增加到8个；将教学范围扩大到更大的年龄范围（8-18岁）；并通过一种创新的dvd驱动的书籍格式提供教学。这将包括制作一本教学书籍的印刷和dvd视频版本。印刷版将以传统书籍的形式出现，并在后面插入dvd视频的参考资料。DVD-Video将基本上涵盖相同的材料，但将包括交互式多媒体增强。观众可以浏览到节目的不同部分，观看示范育儿技巧的视频片段。纸质书将为家长提供详细的书面信息，而DVD版本将更多地以视听为基础，以适应那些阅读能力有限的人，并将复杂的育儿技巧带入生活。这项为期9周的培训计划将在全国200名养父母中进行评估。结果衡量将包括一般和特定主题的家长做法的变化。拟议的商业应用：拟议的计划将在内容和交付系统方面代表最先进的寄养父母培训。NWM在寄养系统的营销网络包括全国超过14,000家机构。

The goal of the proposed project is to develop, produce, and evaluate a home-based multimedia training program for foster parents on preparing foster children for successful independent living. Phase I provided evidence of the approach's efficacy with one life skills topic. In Phase II, we will increase the number of life skills topics to eight; extend the instruction to a wider age range of children (8-18 years); and deliver the instruction via an innovative DVD-driven book format. This will involve producing print and DVD-Video versions of an instructional book. The print version will appear as a traditional book, with references throughout to the DVD-Video, which will be inserted at the back. The DVD-Video will cover essentially the same material, but will include interactive multimedia enhancements. Viewers can navigate to different portions of the program to see video sequences that model parenting skills. The printed book will provide parents with detailed written information, while the DVD version will be more audio-visually based, accommodating those with limited reading skills and bringing to life complex parenting skills. The nine-week training program will be evaluated with a nationwide sample of 200 foster parents. Outcome measures will include changes in general and topic-specific parent practices. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: The proposed program will represent state-of-the-art training in foster parenting, both in terms of content and delivery system. NWM's marketing network in the foster care system includes over 14,000 agencies nationwide.