Penn State Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness: Expanding the Implementation Capacity of Professionals

PENN STATE CLEARINGHOUSE FOR MILITARY FAMILY READINESS: EXPANDING THE IMPLEMENTATION CAPACITY OF PROFESSIONALS

Sponsoring Institution

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Project Status

TERMINATED

Funding Source

OTHER GRANTS

Reporting Frequency

Annual

Accession No.

0230511

Grant No.

2012-48709-20033

Project No.

PENW-2012-03788

Proposal No.

2012-03788

Multistate No.

(N/A)

Program Code

MI.1

Project Start Date

Sep 1, 2012

Project End Date

Aug 31, 2017

Grant Year

2015

Project Director
Perkins, D. F.

Recipient Organization
PENN STATE UNIVERSITY
403 ALTHOUSE LAB
UNIVERSITY PARK,PA 16802

Performing Department
(N/A)

Non Technical Summary
The Global War on Terror has required great sacrifice from service members and their families due to the pace of military operations, including multiple deployments and long separations (Manos, 2010). Evidence is mounting that multiple deployments have direct and indirect (through non-deployed parental health and well-being) negative effects on military children and families (Chandra, Burns, Tanielian, & Jaycox, 2011; Cozza, Chun, & Polo, 2005; Sheppard, Malatras, & Israel, 2010; Warner, Appenzeller, Warner, & Grieger, 2009). The prevention science field has a number of effective prevention and intervention programs that have been found to work across outcomes relevant to bolstering family readiness and strong communities (e.g., building family cohesiveness, improving family communications, decreasing risky behavior, mindful parenting). These evidence-based interventions (EBIs) may be portable to the military context. However, few EBIs have been adapted to meet the unique challenge of building military family readiness, and the effectiveness of these programs for military families has not yet been evaluated. We at the Clearinghouse hypothesize that EBIs hold out substantial promise for improving the lives of military families.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
802	6020	3020	100%

Knowledge Area
802 - Human Development and Family Well-Being;

Subject Of Investigation
6020 - The family and its members;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;

Keywords

Goals / Objectives
The primary objective of the project is to continue with the expansion the ongoing efforts of the Clearinghouse on Military Family Readiness (Clearinghouse) at Penn State University. The mission of the Clearinghouse is to enhance the health and well-being of military families by increasing their readiness and resilience in meeting the challenges, and maximizing the rewards of the military lifestyle. The Clearinghouse will continue to house and disseminate comprehensive, scientifically-based information related to understanding, measuring, developing, enhancing, and strengthening military family readiness. The Clearinghouse will continue to expand information on and access to evidence-based programs designed to enhance family functioning across a broad range of outcomes. High quality, proactive, professional technical assistance will continue to be provided to promote the understanding, adoption, and ultimately wide-spread use of science-based practices to enhance family readiness. Moreover, the Clearinghouse will expand its outreach efforts through the activation of learning communities that operate from a solution-focused problem-solving framework. Through the use of these mechanisms of action, the Clearinghouse will help build the professional capacity of implementing evidence-based programs and practices. This includes the deliberate planful adaptation of those programs and practices to better serve the unique needs of those working with military children, youth, and families. Ultimately, the Clearinghouse wants to continue to create new avenues of partnership with professionals serving military children, youth, and families such that they are better positioned to effectively bolster military family functioning and readiness.

Project Methods
The Clearinghouse will continue to expand information on and access to evidence-based programs designed to enhance family functioning across a broad range of outcomes. High quality, proactive, professional technical assistance will continue to be provided to promote the understanding, adoption, and ultimately wide-spread use of science-based practices to enhance family readiness. Moreover, the Clearinghouse will expand its outreach efforts through the activation of learning communities that operate from a solution-focused problem-solving framework. Through the use of these mechanisms of action, the Clearinghouse will help build the professional capacity of implementing evidence-based programs and practices. To maximize its impact on military family readiness, the CMFR will expand its activities to identify homegrown military programs targeted at military families that will be assessed (with practitioners) using established standards of evidence. In addition, a learning community will be established linked with eXtension designed to foster critical assessment of homegrown program and practices. Goal 1: Promote the submission of Homegrown Family Readiness-Related Programs Goal 2: Develop a Best Practices Resource Guides and Tools for Implementation (on-going) Goal 3: Identify Gaps in the Applied Research (on-going) Goal 4: Refine and Promoting an Engaging On-line Resource (on-going)

Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/17

Outputs
Target Audience:The Clearinghouse was designed to support: (1) DoD analysts and program managers; (2) Service-level program managers; and (3) providers, including extension educators, serving military families. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Clearinghouse has hosted more than 25 webinars, 20 conference presentations, and developed more than 20 tool and education materials. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have and will continue to host webinars, publish in peer-review journal, and present at proactitioner-based and scholarly-based conferences and work-sessions. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? All the goals where accomplished and can be seen at: http://www.militaryfamilies.psu.edu/

Publications

Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: DiNallo, J. M., Kulh, M., Borden, L. M., & Perkins, D. F. (2016). Interventions to support and strengthen parenting in military families: State of the evidence. In A. H. Gewirtz & A. M. Youssef (Eds.), Parenting and childrens resilience in military families (195-212). Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: 1. Perkins, D. F., Aronson, K. R. Karre, J. K., Kyler, S. J., & DiNallo, J. M. (2015). Reducing barriers to evidence-based practice with Military families: The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness. Military Behavioral Science, 4, 47-57.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2018 Citation: Czymoniewicz-Klippel, M. T., Chesnut, R. P., DiNallo, J. M., & Perkins, D. F. (In review). Understanding the implementation of the Grow! parenting program: Findings from a pilot study. Submitted to Children and Youth Services Review.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: 1. Karre, J.K., Perkins, D.F., Aronson, K.R., DiNallo, J.M., Kyler, S., Olson, J., & Mentzer, C.E. (in press). The Evolution of a Continuum of Evidence on Evidence-Based Programs: A New Resource for Use in Military Social Service Delivery, Evaluation Review.

Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16

Outputs
Target Audience:The website target audience is providers serving military families. The THRIVE project is parents of children 0-18. The Resource Center for Obesity Prevention is providers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We have host three webinars about using evidence-based programs. We have conducted more that a dozen facilitator trainings for Grow. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes, all materials are available on the web. In addition, we have been working with our partners to do proactive outreach to PMs within the Services. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Complete the development of all THRIVE material and prepare evaluation plans for them. Continue to vet programs.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We completed the GROW curricula and two common component analyses for Take Root and Sprout curriculum. We have evaluation plans in place. We have begun the evaluation study of Grow. For 5210 program, we have revised the material and are rolling it out. We have vetted more than 1200 programs of which 300 have been a second round of vetting. The impact of the Clearinghouse has been widespread. Activity on the Clearinghouse website has increased dramatically. More than 60,000 pages were viewed in 2015, representing and increase of 40% over the prior two years. Partners have downloaded nearly 6,000 informational documents since 2013, an increase of 66% over this time. The Clearinghouse has also responded to nearly 700 requests for coaching and technical assistance. In the last year, these requests grew by more than 40%. Coaching has covered a wide range of topics. Here are several examples of unsolicited feedback from our partners on impacts: "Wow. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this valuable information. I will review and create a plan of action for work toward providing stress management in the Northern VA region. Thank you for your help." - Licensed Professional Counselor "Thank you so much! This is perfect, exactly what I was looking for. Next week my colleague and I will share a best practice at our regional workshop, we plan to close our presentation with an evidence based self-care theme and you have provided just that. Thank you for your support." - Marine Corps School Liaison Officer "Thanks so much for all your help, Jill! I appreciate all of your digging and plugging me into these resources for suicide prevention. Most of these are new to me (w/ more resources to access), so thanks to you and the team for all the help!" - Air Force Captain

Publications

Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15

Outputs
Target Audience:The Clearinghouse website is designed to assist professionals who support military families through program implementation and assessment activities. The Clearinghouse assists professionals by providing technical assistance support through interactive communication (e.g., phone, web, live chat, and email) to help professionals adopt evidence-based programs and practices to enhance family readiness. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A dozen training on 5210 and how to implement it. 12 trainings on the Grow! curriculum. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?  Reports For the period of May 2013 - May 2015 o o o o o o Web Analytics For the period of May 2013 - May 2015 o o o o o Social Media Presence As of June 9, 2015 Total number of Twitter followers: 473 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue to grow our web presence. We are agressively marketing our products and engaging with our partners.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? As part of work on the website, the Clearinghouse comprehensively reviews prevention and treatment programs (>900 reviewed). Clearingouse research and evaluation scientist conduct reviews examine the evidence base of the programs. In addition, fact sheets are developed in order to provide a snapshot of the program, including information on target audience, components, previous use, training requirements, cost, time, and program contact information. Programs are placed on the Continuum of Evidence (Continuum) and described in fact sheets to help professionals, Service program managers and directors, and Department of Defense (DoD) policy analysts make informed decisions regarding how best to serve military families. Technical assistance requests have grown significantly and steadily. The average number of requests per month has increased from 9 in 2012, to 15 in 2013, to 19 in 2014, and to 22 for 2015 thus far. The live chat feature is the most popular method of obtaining technical assistance followed by email and phone. To date, Clearinghouse implementation specialists have fielded over 650 requests from professionals working with military families. These requests have included gathering information on evidence-based programs and data and research findings for evidence-based prevention, help in selecting the right program, assistance with program implementation (e.g., providing guidance on recruiting and retaining participants, obtaining program and training materials, identifying tools and resources, and finding funding opportunities), assistance with developing an evaluation plan, services offered by the Clearinghouse, and fielding questions regarding the Continuum. The requests related to the Continuum usually include finding a specific program or identifying a number of programs that focus on a certain topic area and target audience. Our Implementation Specialists conduct searches, provide lists of programs that fit their criteria, and discuss the evidence base of the programs. We offer information regarding the placement, such as why a program received a particular placement, what is needed to move the program to the next placement category, articles describing the program evaluations, and detailed notes on the evaluations used to place the program. Specific examples of how we have helped those contacting us include the following: Assisted a professional interested in locating available resources to help a Veteran who needed housing assistance. We provided information regarding the Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs (VA) Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program. We provided several links to the program website and the phone number for the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans. Assisted a school counselor seeking programs, research articles, and resources that address how school transitions affect military children. We provided the counselor with a list of related programs placed on the Continuum and three Clearinghouse blogs that refer to recent reports and published articles. We also provided her with related articles. Reviewed a Support Group curriculum for military children developed by a school counselor and created a document that included recommendations for a program evaluation plan. A visible project within the Resource Center, 5210 Healthy military Children (HMC), is a health messaging campaign designed to increase the awareness of health-promoting behaviors to enhance the long-term health of military children and their families. The 5210 HMC campaign promotes healthy behaviors including consuming fruits and vegetables ("5" fruits and vegetables), decreasing non-productive screen time behaviors like watching television and playing video games ("2" hours or less of screen time), being physically active (at least "1" hour of vigorous physical activity), and avoiding all sugary drinks ("0" sweetened beverages). The 5210 HMC health messaging campaign includes a website (5210.healthymilitarychildren.psu.edu), tool kits for venues found on and off military installations, a training webinar on "how to implement 5210 HMC," an implementation guide, and other marketing materials, like posters, to support the campaign. We are in the process of conducting pilot and outcome evaluations of this effort, which employs text-based surveys over a six-month period. THRIVE is an initiative that includes the development of five parenting programs that are intended to positively impact military parents and children across their lifespans. Specifically, these programs will focus on positive parenting practices, strategies for promoting child physical health, and parent and child stress management. The first program within the THRIVE initiative that is being developed is Grow!, a parenting program for parents of 5- to 8-year-olds. Grow! will be implemented in a face-to-face group format, an online version of the curriculum, and a hybrid version in which parents receive the information directly from a trained facilitator and online. The development of the other four programs will follow. In addition, a THRIVE web-based platform will house parent modules, online-facilitator training, and a registration database.

Publications

Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/14

Outputs
Target Audience: We reach: (1) providers who are serving active and reserve components of all Service Branches; (2) policymakers associated with DoD, DoDEA, and all the Service Branches; as well as service members and their families. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Technical Assistance Efforts: The Clearinghouse assists professionals by giving them access to problem-solving and technical assistance support by using interactive communication (e.g., phone, web, Skype, instant messages, and text messaging) to help professionals adopt evidence-based programs and practices to enhance family readiness. Technical assistance requests have grown significantly and steadily. The average number of requests per month has increased from 9 in 2012, to 15 in 2013, to 19 in 2014 to date. The live chat feature is the most popular method of obtaining technical assistance followed by email and phone. To date, Clearinghouse implementation specialists have fielded over 487 requests from professionals working with Military Families. These requests have included gathering information on evidence-based programs, data and research findings for evidence-based prevention, help in selecting the right program, program implementation assistance (e.g., recruitment, retention, tools, resources, and grant funding), program training and adaptations, evaluation assistance, services offered by the Clearinghouse, and questions regarding the Continuum of Evidence. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The activity on the website has consistently increased. For example, the average number of page views per day increased from 124 in 2012, to 143 in 2013, to 154 for 2014 to date. This increase represents a 24% increase in webpage views in two years. In 2013, the Clearinghouse saw 52,309 page views; so far in 2014, there have been 23,104 (on pace for approximately 60,000 page views in 2014-2015). Visits are expected to increase throughout 2014 as visibility on referring websites, social media, and search engines increases. Page views per month tend to be higher during the spring and fall semesters with predictable dips in June, July, and December. Our highest month to date was March 2014 with 5,807 total page views. PDF downloads have been tracked since March 2013.To date, PDFs have been downloaded from the Clearinghouse website 2,872 times. The majority of PDF downloads are fact sheets with 2,349 downloads or 82% of all PDF downloads. Resources, Continuum, and Obesity downloads follow at 8%, 5%, and 5%, respectively. An average of 6.4 PDFs are downloaded per day. This average is increasing over time; 6.7 PDFs downloaded were noted per day in 2014 to date compared to 5.8 in 2013. We have an active blog and twitter feed to identify critcial information about program and evidence. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continue too vet programs and dissemination through our website, blog, and twitter feed. In addition we are increasing the number of PODCasts.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Clearinghouse Website: The Clearinghouse’s website is an initiative of the USDA and ODASD (MC&FP) in partnership with the Land Grant University System. The Clearinghouse is an interactive, knowledge-based platform designed to assist professionals who support Military families through program implementation and assessment activities. Specifically, the website is designed to promote and support: (1) the use of research-based decision-making; (2) the selection, dissemination, and implementation of evidence-based programs and practices; (3) the evaluation (process and outcome) of programs and the identification or creation of measures and metrics; and (4) the continued education of professionals assisting Military Families. As part of work on the website, the Clearinghouse comprehensively reviews resources (e.g., programs [>800 reviewed], practices, and strategies). In addition to the review, programs are placed on the Continuum of Evidence to help professionals, Service Programs’ managers and directors, and DoD policy analysts make informed decisions regarding how best to serve Military Families. The Clearinghouse also synthesizes existing and emerging relevant research and disseminates comprehensive, evidence-based information to strengthen Military Families and communities.

Publications

Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DiNallo, J., Gungor, D., & Perkins, D.F. (2014, August). 5210 Healthy Military Children. University Park, Pa: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness

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, DoDEA, and all the Service Branches; as well as service members and their families. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? We have provided 12 Podcasts, 4 webinars, and have address 250 TA requests associated with the utilization of evidence-based programs by providers serving military families. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The dissemination of these materials have been wide spread by making use of our formal networks within DoD and the Service Branches as well as eXtension. All materials are on the website. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We will continue to develop professional development materials and trainings on issues that are being identified based on the TA requests from providers and policy analysts.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Developed tools and learning efforts for providers servicing military families. Hosted several technical assistance webinars as well as responded to more than 250 TA requests in the last year.

Publications