Source: PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to
PENN STATE CLEARINGHOUSE FOR MILITARY FAMILY READINESS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0223835
Grant No.
2010-48709-21867
Project No.
PENW-2010-05001
Proposal No.
2013-04344
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
MI.1
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2010
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2014
Grant Year
2013
Project Director
Perkins, D. F.
Recipient Organization
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
208 MUELLER LABORATORY
UNIVERSITY PARK,PA 16802
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Military families face unprecedented challenges. OIF and OEF have resulted in long deployments, and repeated deployments and re-deployments have become commonplace. On the warfront, military engagements are occurring in close quarters against hard-to-identify opponents, and the threat of terrorist attacks is ever-present. Instantaneous news reports out of Iraq and Afghanistan bring the warfront to the home front on a daily basis. Military families that include an exceptional family member likely face additional challenges to readiness. While challenges and responsibilities faced by military families are manifold, the science and practice of developing military family readiness is in its infancy. The overarching purpose of this work is to enhance the science base related to the understanding of family readiness, including risk and resilience factors. This project will also enhance the science base of prevention and intervention programs used to enhance military readiness. The scientific literatures from many disciplines will be reviewed to develop a robust understanding of military family readiness, in all its complexity. These literatures will also be reviewed to identify promising evidence based programs and practices that may be portable to the military family context. All of this information will populate The Clearinghouse on Military Family Readiness (CMFR). The science based information will be disseminated to professionals working with military children, youth, and families to enhance their ability to understand, measure, enhance, and strengthen military family readiness. The CMFR will provide information on and access to evidence-based programs designed to enhance family functioning across a broad range of outcomes. High quality, proactive, profession technical assistance will also be provided to promote the understanding, adoption, and ultimately wide-spread use of science-based practices to enhance family readiness. Through the use of these mechanisms of action, the CMFR will help build the professional capacity of those working with military children, youth, and families so they are better positioned to effectively bolster military family functioning and resilience. The second goal of this proposal is to establish an Exceptional Family Member Support Program Library (EFMSPL) to enhance the knowledge and effectiveness of professionals working with that particular target audience. The "virtual" EFMPL will catalog and house the latest research findings related to exceptional family members and best practices for addressing challenges to the readiness of these families. The EFMSPL will provide opportunities for interactive learning and proactive technical assistance. By also hosting the EFMSPL, the CMFR will create a cohesive, one-stop-shop, supportive virtual community of helping professionals, researchers, military and community leaders, and military families. It is expected that CMFR and EFMSPL will strengthen the capacity of professionals to build family readiness. More effective, science-based prevention and intervention programs will be used and evaluated by those working with military children, youth, and families.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
25%
Applied
75%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
8026010302010%
8026010307010%
8026020302010%
8026020307030%
8056010302010%
8056010307010%
8056020302010%
8056020307010%
Goals / Objectives
The first objective is to expand the work and reach of the Penn State Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness (CMFR) as a distribution and implementation infrastructure for professionals working with military families. To accomplish this objective, our first goal is to transition 5-10 homegrown family readiness-related programs to promising program designation. This will be accomplished by (a) identifying/selecting/assessing homegrown military programs targeted at military families using established standards of evidence; (b) revising 1-2 of the selected programs; (c) piloting and evaluating the revised program/practices in three military communities; (d) conduct a gap analysis of military family readiness programs (e.g., risk behavior prevention, promotion of parenting skills, resource management skills, communication skills); and (e) establish an eXtension-linked community of practice to foster assessment of program and practices. The second goal is to develop a best practices resource guide for Emergency Family Assistance Centers (EFACs). This will be accomplished by (a) gathering and reviewing "best practices" from the civilian community related to emergency response, including the growing research on first responders; (b) gathering and reviewing military "best practices" (e.g., Pentagon After Action Report); (c) developing a DoD-wide guide of best practices for Emergency Family Support. The third goal is to identify gaps in the applied literature on military family readiness. The second objective is to establish an Exceptional Family Member Program Support Library (EFMPSL). The first goal is to design and develop a dynamic and engaging interface for the EFMPSL including "real-time" technical assistance. The second goal is to identify, vet, and populate the EFMPSL with science-based information relevant to the EFMP. To accomplish this goal (a) scientific literatures in military medicine, human development, education, special education, psychology, psychiatry, disabilities, medicine, and others will be examined for information related to programs, practices, and strategies relevant to supporting exceptional families; (b) information will be vetted for scientific rigor and organized within the library to ensure easy library-user interface; (c) evidence-based practices/strategies will be identified and housed on the EFMPSL; and resources for DoD, military branch, and other sources will be identified and vetted, including guides and web links. The third goal is to provide proactive technical assistance with staff that possesses knowledge and experience working with Exceptional Family Members. The fourth goal is to provide virtual learning experiences through the EFMPSL and CMFR. Learning experiences will include training sessions videos, webinars, and online chat sessions that demonstrate specific best practices and strategies for working with families with exceptional family members. Finally, we will develop an evaluation plan for assessing utilization and impact of the EFMPS.
Project Methods
Although the award to develop and expand the clearinghouse and create the EFMPS virtual library are set for one year, the CMFR and EFMPSL virtual infrastructures are designed to be sustainable. The CMFR and EFMPSL will be continually informed by the larger DoD-USDA Partnership. However, some resources will be required if these infrastructures are to remain current, impactful, and viable for the long-term. In addition, findings within the field of implementation science indicate the need for long-term technical assistance. Therefore some resources will be needed to ensure high-quality implementation and utilization of the programs, practices, and strategies by professionals in the field. To maximize success of the CMFR and EFMPSL we will (a) proactively engage military family support professionals in the use of evidence-based programs and practices; (b) engage military family support professionals with multiple capacity-building activities to foster learning and promote efficient implementation of effective programs; (c) provide ongoing technical assistance; (d) pilot test the web-based system for collecting processes and outcome data so professionals can utilize it in implementation, quality monitoring, and evaluation of evidence-based programs; (e) evaluate the utility of the CMFR and EFMPSL to stakeholders; and (f) make improvements to the CMFR and EFMPSL. The proactive capacity building and ongoing technical assistance within the CMFR and EFMPSL will be offered by trained Penn State Cooperative Extension Technical Assistance Professionals (CE-TAPS). CE-TAPS will promote the principles of effectiveness in evidence-based programming and address issues facing military families with exceptional children and youth. The CMFR and EFMPSL will provide (a) a searchable database of evidence-based strategies/practices, evidence-based programs and interventions and 4-H Programs of Distinction; (b) an interactive program selection tool through a series of questions that provide a logical decision-making tree; (c) user-friendly practical guides, research reports, and briefs on various topics; (d) multimedia presentations (e.g., webinars and skill demonstration videos); (e) features to help users navigate the site, answer questions, think through a program implementation issue, or make referrals; (f) a "Discussion Forum" where users can post questions and concerns that are open to comment from other CMFR users and from message board moderators; (g) implementation planning sessions for the implementation of specific practices/strategies and programs; (h) vetted resources (e.g., CYFERNet, eXtension.org, strengtheningfamilies.org), (i) evidence-based information on related to interventions and programs for families with exceptional members (e.g., School Liaison Programs, Assistive Technology Interventions, First Step to Success, Multidimensional Family Therapy, Reliable and Valid Measures to Assess Family Functioning and Service Needs); and (j) capacity building opportunities (e.g., webinars and communities of practice) and ongoing technical assistance (e.g., one-on-one consultation sessions).

Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/14

Outputs
Target Audience:Providers and policy makers who serve military families. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Online learning experiences focused on working with special needs. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?All EFMPs were required to participate in the online learning experience. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The first objective is to expand the work and reach of the Penn State Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness (CMFR) developed plans of evaluation for five homegrown family readiness-related programs to promising program designation. The second objective to develop a best practices resource guide for Emergency Family Assistance Centers (EFACs) was completed and shared with all family resource centers. The third objective we conduct a elibrary of resources for Exceptional Family Member Program Support Library (EFMPSL). The third objective to provide proactive technical assistance with staff that possesses knowledge and experience working with Exceptional Family Members. We worked with ~125 SLOs with learning experiences.

Publications


    Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13

    Outputs
    Target Audience: We reach: (1) providers who are serving active and reserve components of all Service Branches; (2) policymakers associated with DoD, EFMP, DoDEA, and all the Service Branches; as well as service members and their families especially those with EFM. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Webinar was planned and prepared but sponsor cancelled due to challenges they encountered related to staff time. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? All materials are on the website. The EFMP materials are listed under the EFMP tabl on the Clearinghouse's website What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We will complete the analyses and provide a report related to teh EFNP Staff needs assessment.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Development of 500 program fact sheets related to the Continuum of Evidence. Development of a survey for EFMP to assess the needs of staff. Conducted the needs assessment of EFMP staff survey.

    Publications


      Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12

      Outputs
      OUTPUTS: At the end of 2011: A total of 168 program were vetted, and fact sheets were finalized and uploaded to the Clearinghouse website. Have completed a total upgrade of the Clearinghouse websited Completed reviews on: impact of deployment on children; impact of witnessing domestic violence on children; emergency family advocacy centers best practices; and the effectiveness of non-medical counseling programs Developed IDEA information sheets for the EFMP tab on the Clearinghouse website. Information sheets topics include: Specific Learning Disability, Developmental Delay, Orthopedic Impairment, and Visual Impairment Developed a provider and family questionnaire related to the EFMP. PARTICIPANTS: The individuals who worked on this project were all employees of the Clearninghouse for Military Family Readiness. TARGET AUDIENCES: Providers that are engaging with the Clearinghouse have show gains in knowledge about evidence-Based programs, program implementation, program evaluation, and effectiveness. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

      Impacts
      Consist TA requests from providers and family members are occurring. The Clearinghouse had more than 100,000 unique visitors in the Year 2010-2011. 25,000 visitors have been to the site more than five times. Reviews have lead to the development of new intitiatives.

      Publications

      • Aronson. K., and Perkins, D. F. 2012, January. A systematic review of the Air Forces ABC Program. A report to the Air Force Office of Mental Health. University Park, PA: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness.
      • DiNallo, J. and Perkins, D. F. 2011, December. Clearinghouse program fact sheets. Total number is 47. University Park, PA: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness.
      • Karre, J., Perkins, D. F., and Aronson, K. 2011, October. Comprehensive review of impacts of non-medical counseling programs. A report to the DoD Office of Military Community & Family Policy for the Office of Cost, Assessment, Program, and Evaluation. University Park, PA: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness.
      • Karre, J. and Perkins, D. F. 2011, December. Clearinghouse program fact sheets. Total number is 52. University Park, PA: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness.
      • Moeller, J. and Perkins, D. F. 2011, December. Clearinghouse program fact sheets. Total number is 21. University Park, PA: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness.
      • Richardson, C. and Perkins, D. F. 2011, December. Clearinghouse program fact sheets. Total number is 28. University Park, PA: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness. Schulte, J., and Perkins, D. F. 2011, December. Clearinghouse program fact sheets. Total number is 23. University Park, PA: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness.
      • Staley, K., and Perkins, D. F. 2011, November. A systematic review of the Life Guard/Life pReserve Program . A report to the Veteran Administration. University Park, PA: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness. Staley, K., and Perkins, D. F. 2011, December. Clearinghouse program fact sheets. Total number is 10. University Park, PA: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness.


      Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11

      Outputs
      OUTPUTS: Created the programs criteria system to vet evidence-based programs and best practices; and created a data sheet of programs that have been reviewed. This will enable to ensure that the materials on the clearinghouse have gone through a quality assurance. Reviewed 50 programs for evidence-based and best practices. Developed an interactive version of the Clearinghouse website. Version 2.0 is currently being developed. Completed a comprehensive review of the qualitative literature about impact of deployment on families. Completed a comprehensive review of the literature about the impact of partner abuse on children. Complete a comprehensive review of literature about the effectiveness of non-medical counseling. Completed a comprehensive initial examination of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: DoD policy-makers DoD congressional grant writers Human service managers and professional serving active duty as well as reserves/National Guard families PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

      Impacts
      The work of the Clearinghouse is providing DoD policy makers, congressional report writers, human service managers and professionals with detail and practical information about effectiveness. Thus, similar to Consumer Reports the Clearinghouse provides these audiences with the tools necessary to make informed decisions about programs and strategies that is based on scientific evidence. The work of the Clearing house is identifying effective programs and practices so that professional can provided military families opportunities to engage in efforts to reduce stress, prevent problems, and promote family functioning. The Clearinghouse is engaged in innovative partnerships with professionals which is leading to increased participation by families. This effort focus on implementation will enhanced delivery of programs and practices to support geographically dispersed families.

      Publications

      • No publications reported this period