This program is delivered to parents of children who are 2 to 8 years old and is intended to impact parents and children.

Chicago Parent Program (CPP), a community-based, parent-training program, is designed to prevent or minimize children's externalizing and internalizing problem behaviors by helping parents strengthen their parenting skills and feelings of competence and learn to use constructive disciplinary practices.

Two internal, quasi-experimental evaluations of the program using self-report and observational measures have been conducted. Collectively, these studies demonstrate positive program effects, for parental reports of self-efficacy, discipline, and child problem-behavior intensity, that lasted through the 1-year follow-up. The results of one study suggest that attendance impacts these outcomes, and participants who attended six or more sessions reported the greatest improvement. Results of the observational data are less clear. One study reported pre-post improvements in parental use of praise and child problem behavior but reported no effect on parental use of commands. The other study reported improvements in child problem behavior and parental use of commands that lasted through the 1-year follow-up, but there was no effect on praise. The samples for both studies consisted of African American and Latino parents who were predominately female; thus, the results cannot be generalized beyond that population.

The CPP curriculum focuses on parent-child relationships, discipline strategies, stress management, and problem-solving techniques. Sessions are delivered to groups of 10 to 15 parents, and topics covered include the following:

• Identify values and goals for children;
• Build a positive parent-child relationship;
• Set clear expectations for children based on values and goals;
• Use limit-setting strategies to achieve goals;
• Manage stress;
• Practice problem-solving skills; and
• Review what skills have been learned, what is going well, and what skills still need to be improved.

A booster session is offered in which parents have the opportunity to discuss how they are doing without the support of the group.

In all sessions, participants learn parenting strategies through the use of video vignettes, group discussion and problem-solving, role-play, group activities, handouts, and skill-building homework assignments.

Since 2002, this program has been implemented in over 50 locations in the United States and Canada.

This program is delivered by two trained facilitators who have at least a high school diploma (e.g., case managers, counselors, mental health clinicians, family service workers). Training is available as a 2-day, in-person training or as four half-day virtual sessions. For more information about training, please visit www.chicagoparentprogram.org/cpp-materials-and-services/training-and-services

Considerations for implementing CPP include recruiting and training facilitators, acquiring participant buy-in, finding space to hold program sessions, obtaining equipment needed to watch videos, ensuring program sessions are delivered with fidelity, and providing child care and snacks/meals during sessions.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing CPP, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

CPP consists of 11-weekly, 2-hour sessions followed by a 12th booster session that is delivered 4 to 8 weeks after session 11.

The CPP videos cost $875; the Group Leader Manual costs $125; the Implementation Guide costs $25; session handouts cost $20 per packet. Please visit https://www.chicagoparentprogram.org/cpp-materials-and-services/purchase-materials for more information on materials and costs.

To move CPP to the Effective category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence at least one external evaluation must be conducted that demonstrates sustained, positive outcomes. This study must be conducted independently of the program developer.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact Chicago Parent Program by mail Rush University College of Nursing, 600 South Paulina, Suite 1080, Chicago, IL 60612, email CCPinfo@chicagoparentprogram.org, or visit https://www.chicagoparentprogram.org/

https://www.chicagoparentprogram.org/ and https://www.cebc4cw.org/program/chicago-parent-program/detailed