An Initial Evaluation of a Resource Parent Training Curriculum for Child Welfare-Involved Children Who Have Experienced Trauma and Loss

Abstract

The current study examined the efficacy of Pathways to Permanence 2: Parenting Children who have Experienced Trauma and Loss© (Pathways), a trauma-informed curriculum designed for resource (adoptive, foster and kinship) parents. This initial study examined data from the implementation of a resource training intervention in Ontario, Canada. Participants included 177 resource parents. The current study used a pre-experimental, pre-post design. Preliminary findings from this study indicate positive changes in several dimensions, including resource parent resilience, family functioning, nurturing and attachment. The findings of this initial evaluation are promising and highlight the need for further research.

Keywords:

• Resource parent training
• permanency
• trauma
• evaluation

Disclosure statement

No conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

We acknowledge the support of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Canada Research Chair in Child Welfare (#950-231186).