Providing evidence of effectiveness of our program work has become increasingly important to all of us. Funding sources often require it, and even when they don’t, we can agree that when we take time to evaluate what works and what doesn’t, we see improved results from our efforts to strengthen families and children. Active Parenting demonstrates its commitment to scientific rigor by providing access to our own studies published in peer reviewed journals, sharing other independent research on AP programs, and by offering the free use of our program evaluation surveys to leaders.
Over 40 Years of Evidence: Active Parenting Works!
Summary
Read and download our summary of 19 studies that span more than 40 years of Active Parenting history and provide strong scientific evidence of the efficacy of the Active Parenting model.
Abstracts
Click here to read abstracts of all the studies in the Active Parenting evidence base.
2006 Field Study Results
We have completed an extensive national field study of Active Parenting and Active Parenting of Teens providing evidence of effectiveness for these research-based programs.
Research results
Research on Families in Action has been published in two academic journals:
- Implementation and Impact of a Family-Based Substance Abuse Prevention Program in Rural Communities – The Journal of Primary Prevention
- Evaluation of a Family-Based Substance Abuse Prevention Program Targeted for the Middle School Years – The Journal of Drug Education
Also see these research studies on Active Parenting of Teens, which is the parenting component of the Families in Action program:
- 2019 Field Study Results
- Active Parenting: An Evaluation of Two Adlerian Parent Education Programs
- Draft report on Active Parenting of Teens project
Third party evidence-based websites listing the program
- NREPP: SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) was long considered “the gold standard” for evidence-based programs. Active Parenting, Active Parenting of Teens, and Families in Action were listed as legacy programs from 2008 until NREPP was closed by SAMHSA in 2018. At that time, the current re-review of our programs had been completed and was waiting for publication. The re-review also included Active Parenting: First Five Years and Active Parenting for Stepfamilies as versions of the Active Parenting program. Click here for the program profile NREPP had completed for the review.
- OJJDP’s Model Programs Guide (MPG) Families in Action is listed in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Model Programs Guide (MPG). Click here for details (the easiest way to find it is to click on “Alphabetical List”).
- The Office of Justice Programs’ CrimeSolutions.gov uses rigorous research to determine what works in criminal justice, juvenile justice, and crime victim services. Active Parenting of Teens: Families in Action is listed. Click here for details.
- California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC)
Measurement tools
Quality Assurance Protocol for your program
The Quality Assurance Protocol is a 40-page document containing the same instructions and handouts used when doing research on the Families in Action program. If you need to do research, or to run your program in strict compliance with the protocol, this packet is for you. Click here to download.
Active Parenting Class Evaluation Form
(can be used for any Active Parenting class)
Use this form to collect information from parents about what they liked and what needs improvement in your classes. Click to download a Word file that can be customized to meet your needs.
Surveys for the Active Parenting of Teens portion of the class
This questionnaire and scoring key for measuring behavior can be used to provide proof of the effectiveness of your Active Parenting of Teens parenting classes.
