| Project title: | Warilla Parents As Teachers Program |
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| Project type: | Developmental Crime Prevention |
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| Researchers/contact: | Ms Ethel Schouten |
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| Commencement date: | 1991 |
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| Location: | NSW ; Warilla |
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| Funding body/institution: | Australian Violence Prevention Award 1993 ; Warilla Public School |
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| Description of the study: | This program supports the families of newly born children. First, together with health professionals, bonding between parents and their new babies is aided by helping parents adjust to the practical and emotional changes parenthood brings into their lives. Parents are given help with feeding baby, sleeping and adjusting to having fewer financial resources. The problems of each family are shared within the groups. Second, the educational program shows parents appropriate disciplinary techniques and how to maintain positive family relationships. |
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| Description of the outcomes: | Program organisers, and significant others, firmly believe this program has, among other benefits, great potential to prevent child and family violence. In 1995, the program was expanded to an additional six sites throughout New South Wales and in 2001 another three sites were added. Approximately 400 families are currently involved in the program and it is estimated that an additional 1200 families are reached through play sessions, group meetings and printed information. |
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| Evaluation: | This program is subjected to ongoing systematic evaluation of impact. Collaborative evaluation with the New South Wales Department of Education, the Centre for Child Development, Macquarie University and Uniting Care has taken place. The evaluation involved pre and post test design with 24 families across the participating sites. Impacts assessed were a) if developmental and academic preparedness was improved amongst the children involved, b) if stress was diminished amongst parents involved thus reducing the risk of child abuse, b) if the program reduced parental isolation. Results indicated that over one year there were a) significant gains in children's cognitive and communication development, b) children's interest in books and reading increased, c) children were read to more frequently by more family members, using an increased variety of books, d) there were significant decreases in parental stress - parents reported that they felt less depressed, less isolated and that the relationship with their partner improved. |
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