A multi-site evaluation of Parents Raising Safe Kids Violence Prevention Program

Effects of the ACT Raising Safe Kids Parenting Program on Children's Externalizing Problems

“…The program was revised to address child abuse and family violence prevention in 2005, resulting in the ACT-RSK program (Silva, 2007). There is already preliminary evidence that ACT-RSK has positive benefits, including increasing professionals' knowledge and skills related to violence prevention and enhancing positive parenting behaviors (Knox, Burkhart, & Hunter, 2011;Miguel & Howe, 2006;Porter & Howe, 2008;Weymouth & Howe, 2011). In particular, results of these past studies supported the efficacy of the program in improving parents' perceived importance and use of methods to teach children effective interpersonal skills, in reducing harsh and hostile parenting behaviors and attitudes, and in reducing parental physical violence toward children.…”

“…Parents and caregivers who completed ACT-RSK evidenced improved knowledge, behaviors, and beliefs regarding violence prevention and parenting (Knox et al, 2011). In yet another study involving 616 participants from nine different sites across the United States, parents and caregivers who completed the program demonstrated increases in prosocial parenting practices, effective anger management, use of positive discipline practices, calm communication with children, reduction of arguments, and discontinuation of physical punishment (Weymouth & Howe, 2011). Although it is possible that such changes may result in changes in children's behaviors following the program, this has not yet been studied.…”

International child abuse prevention: insights from ACT Raising Safe Kids

“…Program evaluations in the United States have shown that ACT is low cost yet its outcomes evidence similar effect sizes to those found in expensive, well‐known parenting interventions (Knox, Burkhart, & Hunter, ; Weymouth & Howe, ). This is of vital importance because developing manualized evidence‐informed programs is necessary, yet many programs cannot be adapted to low‐income communities or may not be received positively by parents in diverse cultures.…”

“…Having well‐trained facilitators from their own communities implement the program is extremely helpful for parents who may fear outsiders or be shy about participating in active learning exercises due to language or cultural barriers. In one evaluation study, Spanish speaking parents in the United States improved even more than English‐speaking parents, suggesting that when programs are delivered in one's native language by culturally competent facilitators, results for outcomes like knowledge of child development, monitoring violent media, and reducing coercive parenting can be improved, with medium to large effect sizes (Weymouth & Howe, ).…”

“…Several evidence‐based parenting programs existed at the time ACT was developed (circa 2005), but they were costly to implement, with expensive required materials, and they were not easily portable to isolated, nonwestern, or difficult contexts. In contrast, ACT is a not‐for‐profit universal program that can be implemented for the cost of materials in virtually any setting (Weymouth & Howe, ).…”