Organizational Context and Readiness for Change: A Study of Community-Based Parenting Programs in One Midwestern City

Abstract

Efficacious parent training programs are available, yet the gap between research and practice persists. Organizational factors influence the adoption and implementation of new treatments; however, little is known about social service agencies' organizational context and readiness for change. Twenty-one program directors (PDs) and 25 practitioners employed by 19 agencies providing parent training in a moderate-sized Midwestern city were surveyed to begin to fill this gap. PDs and practitioners had similar perceptions of agency culture and climate, and little interagency variation was evident. The atmosphere for adopting and implementing efficacious parent programs appeared favorable, although agencies may not feel sufficient pressure to change. Potential barriers to change and areas for future research are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• readiness for change
• evidence-based practice
• parent training programs

Funding for this project was provided by the Center for Mental Health Services Research, Brown School of Social Work, Washington University (1 P30 MH068579; Proctor, PI).