Great Kids, Inc.
Growing Great Kids Curriculum and Approach

 

Growing Great Kids Is Evidence Based

In an attempt to insure that investments being made by private and public funders aimed at strengthening families and improving childhood outcomes are being wisely allocated, there is a current movement toward funding only programs implementing an "evidence-based" approach. As a result, Great Kids, Inc. is frequently asked the question, "Is Growing Great Kids evidence based?"

The U.S. Department of Human Services, Administration for Children and Families describes "Evidence-Based Practice" as:

"Evidence-based practice involves identifying, assessing, and implementing strategies that are supported by scientific research as being effective in improving outcomes for children and families. In child welfare practice, evidence-based practices are those that have strong research design, evidence of significant positive effects, sustained effects, and capacity for replication."

Growing Great Kids meets this criteria based on two (2) rigorous, independent evaluations of home visiting programs offered to parents with infants and young children at risk for child abuse/neglect and other poor childhood outcomes: the statewide Kentucky HANDS Program and the Minnesota Dakota County Healthy Families Program. Both programs adhere to the Great Kids Critical Program Elements, use Growing Great Kids as their primary intervention tool during all home visits, and provide regular on-site technical assistance to assure quality implementation across their service network. Independent evaluations of both programs have demonstrated successful replication and have shown significant, positive, sustained effects for children, families, and communities. These evaluations can be reviewed online at www.greatkidsinc.org or can be forwarded to interested parties by phoning (608) 284-2010.

In addition to meeting the criteria above, the Administration for Children and Families recommends that organizations in the process of selecting a program approach and curriculum:

  • Determine if the organization(s) implementing the program have the infrastructure in place to use the approach and curriculum with fidelity, as it was administered and carried out within the study that yielded the reported results. Look beyond the "evidence base" for the approach to how well the program matches your community's needs and goals.
  • Determine if the available program evaluations meet HSS research standards.

HHS suggests organizations consider the following to make these determinations:

  • Have the program outcomes for children, families, and tax payers reported on in the research been found to be significant, positive, and sustainable?
  • Are the strategies and outcomes relevant to and consistent with the values, needs, and goals of your community?
  • Is there a strong theoretical basis for the curriculum and approach?
  • Are the researchers and research design credible?
  • Does the research design meet the standards for demonstrating program effectiveness?