The Incredible Years
« Back to list| Category | Type | Target Age Group | Setting | Outcomes | Source of Rating |
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| Proven Programs | Antisocial Behavior |
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Reductions in peer aggression in the classroom
Reductions in conduct problems at home and school |
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Description:
The Incredible Years (IY) Series is a set of three comprehensive, multi-faceted, and developmentally-based curriculums for parents, teachers and children designed to promote emotional and social competence and to prevent, reduce, and treat behavior and emotion problems in young children. The program is aimed at children ages 2-10, at risk for and/or presenting with conduct problems (defined as high rates of aggression, defiance, oppositional and impulsive behaviors).
Young children with high rates of aggressive behavioral problems have been shown to be at great risk for developing substance abuse problems, becoming involved with deviant peer groups, dropping out of school, and engaging in delinquency and violence. Ultimately, the aim of the IY teacher, parent, and child training programs is to prevent and reduce the occurrence of aggressive and oppositional behavior, thus reducing the chance of developing later delinquent behaviors.
The Incredible Years programs have been evaluated by the developer and independent investigators. Evaluations have included randomized control group research studies with diverse groups of parents and teachers. The programs have been found to be effective in strengthening teacher and parent management skills, improving children's social competence and reducing behavior problems.
Evidence shows that the program have turned around the behaviors of up to 80 percent of the children of participating parents and teachers. If left unchecked, these behaviors would put those children at greater risk in adulthood of unemployment, mental health problems, substance abuse, early pregnancy/early fatherhood, criminal offending, multiple arrests and imprisonment, higher rates of domestic violence and shortened life expectancy.
Incredible Years training programs give parents and teachers strategies to manage behaviors such as aggressiveness, ongoing tantrums, and acting out behavior such as swearing, whining, yelling, hitting and kicking, answering back, and refusing to follow rules. Through using a range of strategies, parents and teachers help children regulate their emotions and improve their social skills so that they can get along better with peers and adults and do better academically. It can also mean a more enjoyable family life.
Parents or teachers meet as a group with two trained facilitators, and are given opportunities to collectively and individually develop new strategies for managing their children.
The course includes role plays, homework, setting personal goals, and feedback. Facilitators use video taped scenes to encourage group discussion, problem-solving and sharing of ideas. Parents and teachers are given handouts, activities to practice with children, and reminder notes to put on their refrigerator or blackboards.
Implementation readiness questionnaire (in depth): http://www.incredibleyears.com/IA/incredible-years_agency-readiness-questionnaire.pdf
Target Population
Children ages 2-10, at risk for and/or presenting with conduct problems (defined as high rates of aggression, defiance, oppositional and impulsive behaviors).
Incredible Years Series has been tested in multiple randomized control studies with 2 to 12 year-old children diagnosed with conduct problems (i.e., having high rates of aggression, defiance, oppositional, and impulsive behaviors) and attention deficit disorder. It has also been evaluated as a prevention program with children 2 to 7 years old, who are at high risk by virtue of living in poverty. The new baby program (6 weeks to 18 months) is currently undergoing evaluations.
The BASIC parenting programs are targeted toward parents of toddlers up to children age 8. The ADVANCE parent program may be offered to parents of children ages 6-10 years. The Dina Dinosaur curriculum is designed for children ages 4 to 8.
For more Information or to find Technical Assistance, visit:
Incredible Years
1411 8th Avenue West
Seattle, WA 98119 USA
(888) 506-3562 or (206) 285-7565
FAX (888) 506-3562
incredibleyears@incredibleyears.com
Dr. Carolyn Webster-Stratton is Professor and Director of the Parenting Clinic at the University of Washington
California Institute for Mental Health
www.cimh.org
More Resources
References and/or Published Evaluations
Casey Family Programs: Evaluation Shows Parent Training Program Holds Promise for a Child Welfare Population, 2010. Study finds evidence-based program was associated with decreased caregiver stress, more empathy toward children, and greater social support. Casey Family Programs conducted an evaluation that provides some preliminary evidence of effectiveness for a child welfare population of an existing evidence-based program—The Incredible Years Parent Training Program. Information on effective models for this population is lacking. Evaluating the implementation and outcomes of an evidence-based program in child welfare settings is an initial step toward addressing the gap between research and practice for improving the well-being of children and families involved with child welfare.
Long-Term Outcomes of Incredible Years Parenting Program: Predictors of Adolescent Adjustment, 2010. A follow-up report on fifty-eight boys and twenty girls with early onset conduct problems whose parents received the Incredible Years (IY) parent treatment program when they were 3–8 years old.
Background and Methods: Fifty-eight boys and twenty girls with early onset conduct problems whose parents received the Incredible Years (IY) parent treatment program when they were 3–8 years (mean 58.7 months) were contacted and reassessed regarding their social and emotional adjustment 8 to 12 years later. Assessments included home interviews with parents and teenagers separately.
Results and conclusion: Adolescent reports indicated that 10% were in the clinical range on internalizing behaviors, 23% had engaged in major delinquent acts, and 46% reported some substance use. Eighteen percent of children had criminal justice system involvement and 42% had elevated levels of externalizing behaviors (mother report). Post-treatment factors predicting negative outcomes (delinquent acts) were maternal reports of behavior problems and observed mother–child coercion.
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Additional Information
Provided by Dr. Carolyn Webster-Stratton September 2010
- Has this program been replicated at other sites? If so, how many and where are they?
Multiple (more than four) randomized trials have been conducted with high risk populations including Head Start (preschool) and schools with a high percentage of children (kindergarten to grade two) living in poverty. These programs have shown success with culturally diverse groups, including Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, African American and new Immigrant families. The programs have also been evaluated by independent investigators in many countries including United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, Holland, Russia and Portugal.
- Do you have a formal curriculum or program guidelines in place? What is the approximate cost for these materials?
Each of the types of programs consists of videotapes, comprehensive facilitator manuals, books, take-home assignments, and handouts. It is recommended that all group participants (parents, teachers and children) have their own individual books and that facilitators have their own manuals. DVD equipment is necessary. Each group should have two group leaders. Group leaders complete a certification/accreditation process that involves attendance at a certified training workshop, peer review, videotape feedback, and consultation. See cost information below.
- What kind of training and technical assistance is available for this program?
Workshops in the parent and child programs are offered regularly in Seattle and upon request elsewhere in North America and the United Kingdom. Go to the Incredible Years web site for a current list of workshops. The price for training depends on which training you are selecting, and where it is offered. If an agency has contracted with us to host their own training primarily for their own staff, but are also opening up the training to people outside their agency, the price will be determined by that agency. In Seattle, our 3-day (21 hours) parent training is $400, and the 2-day (14 hour) Dina Dinosaur curriculum training is $300. Transportation, hotel, and per diem are the responsibility of the participants. Seattle workshops are currently held once a year. The cost to have a trainer at your site is $1,500 per day, plus the trainer's airfare, lodging, travel, and meals.
A. One-Time Only Initial Cost of Leader Training and Materials
I. Initial training costs for 2-3 days depending on program delivered- Seattle Training: $400 for 3-day and $300 for 2-day training $400 x # of group leaders plus travel costs (transportation, lodging, meals, etc.).
Suggestion: budget $1100-$1500 per leader to be trained in Seattle
or, - On-Site Training: $1500-$2000 per day for trainer x 3-4 days (this will be cost effective if you have more than 8-10 leaders but we don’t always have trainers available) plus travel and hotel expenses, workshop handouts and books, etc.
II. Program Materials
- See web site and brochure for particular program prices
- Agency or school may purchase one set of tapes to be shared by multiple group leaders (approximately $1000-$1300 per series)
- Leader manuals (leaders will want their own manuals) Cost $150 x # of leaders plus shipping charge.
Suggestion: budget $1500 per program
B. Ongoing Consultation
- Hourly rate $150 per hour (suggested 2 hours a month)
- Daily consultation rate for on site group $1500 (1-day per year), plus expenses
- Videotape review and certification ($400 per leader) x # leaders
- Other videotape reviews –hourly fee $75
Suggestion: budget $500 per leader, for one year or for first 2 to 3 groups (or ask leaders to pay their own certification fee)
Note: amount of time to prepare for group sessions will be longer for the leaders ’first groups, approximately 4-6 hours is needed for preparation and delivery. By the time the program has been delivered for the third time this preparation time will be minimized considerably and costs will be reduced.
C. Ongoing Costs for Parent Groups (based on one group of 12 parents)
- Day care for children (3 hours per night per provider x 12 sessions); number of providers will depend on number of children in day care. For 3 providers @ $12 per hour. Approx $1400
- Food for dinners for groups ($80 per group x 12 sessions). Approx $1000
- Group leaders’ time for one group - 5 hours per week x 12 sessions x 2 leaders @ $25 per hour. Approx $3000
- Parent Books $19.95 per parent x 12 =$240
- Magnets (optional) for parents $1 per parent x 12 = $12
- Parent Handouts $10.00 per parent x 12 = $120
- Room for parent group (may be provided at no charge by agency or school)
- Optional: prizes for parents, e.g. children’s books, bubble bath, candles, etc.
Total Ongoing Costs for Parent Group $5712 or $476 per parent. The hourly rate of group leaders may be higher contributing to higher costs.
D. Ongoing Costs for Small Group Child Treatment Groups (18-22 sessions: average 20, based on 6 children per group)
- Snacks for groups ($20 per group x 20 sessions). Approx $400
- Group leaders time for one group - 4 hours per week x 20 sessions x 2 leaders @ $25 per hour = Approx $4000
- Parent Books $19.95 per parent x 6 parents =$119.70 (if the parents aren’t already in parent group)
- Child handouts or workbooks $10.00 per child x 6 = $60
- Materials for activities $100
- Room for child group (may be provided at no charge by agency or school)
- Optional: prizes and additional stickers for children, e.g. books, buttons, etc.
Total Ongoing Costs for Child Treatment Group $4650 or $775 per child
E. Ongoing Costs for Child Dinosaur Curriculum in Schools (based on 24 children per class)
- Teachers’ time for delivering program - 2 hours per week x 60 lessons @ $25 per hour = Approx $3000
- Child handouts or workbooks $10.00 per child x 24 children = $240
- Materials for activities $5 per child = $120
- Optional: prizes and additional stickers for children, e.g. books, buttons, etc.
Total Ongoing Costs for Child Classroom Program $135 per child (since teacher is already teaching this hourly fee may be deducted reducing the ongoing costs of this curriculum to $15 per child)
F. Ongoing Costs for Teacher Training Classroom Management Curriculum (based on 15 teachers per workshop and classrooms with 24 children)
- Teachers’ time in training - 4 workshop days @ $120 per day for substitute teacher x 4 x 15 teachers = $7200
- Teacher handouts and workbooks $30.00 per teacher x 15 teachers = $450
- Optional: prizes for teachers, e.g. stickers, buttons, books, etc.
Total Ongoing Costs for Teacher Training in Classroom Management Program $510 per teacher or $21 per child
Note: if this training is scheduled on regularly scheduled in-service days, the teacher sub costs will be defrayed, reducing the costs significantly to $30 per teacher. - Seattle Training: $400 for 3-day and $300 for 2-day training $400 x # of group leaders plus travel costs (transportation, lodging, meals, etc.).
- Once the program has been implemented, can an organization obtain assistance with fidelity monitoring or quality assurance?
A number of training processes are recommended to ensure that replication of the Incredible Years programs can be achieved with fidelity: standardized training, detailed treatment manuals, standardized session protocols, peer review, mentoring and supervision, and leader certification.
The consultation day is for therapists/group leaders who have already received the "authorized training" in the parent or child programs and have conducted one or more groups. On this day group leaders have the opportunity to get feedback or supervision about group therapy issues, particular family dynamics or children they have encountered in their groups. Participants are asked to bring a videotape of one of their parent or child group sessions. Participants share particularly useful role-plays or discussions, which they feel others will benefit from watching or a section of their video where a problem or difficult issue is discovered. Once an agency has hosted their first basic workshops, it is advisable to schedule a follow-up consultancy day with the trainer within a year. These workshops help group leaders to continue their peer supervision and provide the support needed to complete their certification process. The consultant gives detailed feedback and direction regarding specific issues.
If a leader wants to become 'certified' (which we recommend), they need to take a workshop from a certified mentor or trainer. Mentors and trainers are certified group leaders who have completed additional training. In order to get others in your agency interested or involved in leading groups you may ask them to co-lead with you and offer "unofficial training" as long as you make it clear that these are not authorized workshops. We suggest you get started on your own certification as a group leader so that you will be eligible for applying for mentor status which allows you to offer authorized workshops within your own agency. There is additional training for this process. You can see all the requirements for certification and mentor status in the certification section of this site.
- Can an organization obtain assistance with data collection or measurement of outcomes?
There is a web page with assessments and evaluation and data collection instruments: http://www.incredibleyears.com/Measures/em.asp
Incredible Years certified trainers also consult on other matters related to maintaining the quality of program dissemination such as:- program evaluations and assessment methods
- research grant submissions
- agency adoption strategies
- on-going professional development of leaders/therapists in the implementation of "empirically validated" interventions
If you are interested in a consultation, please contact Lisa St. George, Incredible Years Administrative Director, at the number listed above.
- Which local stakeholders should participate in order for this program to be successful?
The Incredible Years curricula may be implemented by schools, school districts, and related programs (including Head Start, day care, and kindergarten) as early prevention programs for teachers, parents and children. Additionally, the child and parent programs may be used in mental health centers as a treatment for families with children who are diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder/Conduct Disorder (ODD/CD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or for high risk families.
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