Is statewide delivery of Stepping Stones Triple P effective?

In a nutshell • In 2012 the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funded us to research the Stepping Stones Triple P program. • Stepping Stones Triple P (SSTP) is a program which teaches parents how to encourage healthy behaviour and emotions in children with developmental disabilities. • The project examined whether a program with a demonstrated ability in research trials to improve mental health outcomes could do so with positive impact across whole communities. • The project offered free training in Stepping Stones Triple P program delivery to people already working with children with developmental disabilities, such as teachers, early childhood workers, health or disability support workers. • These practitioners then offered Stepping Stones Triple P free of charge to families of children with developmental disabilities aged from 2 to 12 years in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. The progam was delivered in a range of formats and at differing levels of intensity. Parents and carers were free to choose the type and level of program they wanted. A communications campaign helped raise awareness of the program’s availability. Summary of findings • Children’s behaviour and parents’ skills improved when they participated in a Stepping Stones Triple P program. • The outcomes achieved by community practitioners and organisations were similar to those achieved in previous University located controlled research trials. • Parenting skills improved by becoming more positive and less coercive. • Parents’ stress reduced following the program. However, reduction in parental stress was not as great in families with financial hardship. • Participation in Stepping Stones Triple P helped families financially as they were able to take less time off work. • Organisations and professionals adopted the program enthusiastically. • There was a relatively high level of participation - approximately 38 per cent of the population targeted - compared with the 10 per cent who have been shown to access expert help through usual clinical sources. • Participation of families predominantly came through the disability agencies they were connected with. • Current funding models for the NDIS will make Stepping Stones Triple P unavailable for most families as there is inadequate funding provision for organisations to deliver group-based programs.

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