Using Technology to Facilitate the Scale-up of Effective Early Childhood Interventions

Extensive research indicates that behavioral parent training is the single most effective intervention available for reducing early conduct problems and promoting prosocial behaviors.  From our perspective, there are considerable barriers for parents to attend parent training classes (e.g., transportation, scheduling, time commitments, child care, etc). Limited reach is one of the biggest failings of behavioral parent training (Webster-Stratton et al., 1988). 

The primary benefit of the Internet as a mode of information and support delivery is that it reduces barriers to access. The Internet can provide 24‑hour access, at relatively low cost, to many kinds of information -- including state‑of‑the‑art treatment options and short‑ or long‑term support groups. Interactive technology-based interventions in the home overcome common obstacles for parent participation, such as lack of transportation, long distances or schedule conflicts. The Internet can provide choices efficiently, tailor information to subject characteristics, manage interactive programming, and provide support.  It can enhance parent-teacher communication and support coordinated interventions across home-school settings. Additional forms of technology, such as cell phones, can facilitate communication with parents, fostering intervention recruitment and engagement. 

While there is the potentially large expected savings in the time home coaches spend online vs. driving long distances to work with parents face-to-face, there are other cost savings associated with online programs (e.g., increased flexibility for adults, allows for at-scale use, lower attrition). Policymakers are particularly interested in programs that efficiently increase investments in the skills of our future workforce given the current context of federal and state budget constraints and slow economic improvements.   Given the beneficial impacts of previous studies, there is a compelling rationale for technology that could reduce intervention costs and increase potential reach, scale of use, and impact.

This Scientific Dialogue session will bring together researchers who are currently mounting efforts to deliver empirically based parenting programs using technology (Internet and mobile delivery).  After a brief introduction outlining the issues, presented by the Chair, each discussant will discuss the (a) development of the technology-based intervention, (b) clinical implications for the use of the technology, including supervision and tracking of participants and staff activities and (c) design and results from any randomized trials.  The Chair will review the presentations and implications for dissemination, and facilitate a discussion of this exciting and innovative methodology for dissemination and scale-up.