Lessons learned from the dissemination of parenting wisely, a parent training CD-ROM Original Research Article

An intervention was developed that did not rely upon trained or experienced service providers for its delivery to families with behavior disordered children and youth. The format is an interactive CD-ROM geared toward low-income, single-parent families. The very brief intervention offers privacy and engagement, unlike traditional methods, and its low cost to implement has enabled it to be disseminated to over 300 agencies in 4 years. The supporting research showing moderate effect sizes on child problem behavior, both in university and community settings, is described. Dissemination efforts began with the formation of a company for marketing the program through a university business incubation center. Of the agencies using the program, 93 were surveyed as to factors associated with successful implementation. Administrative support, practitioner buy-in, and a commitment to evaluate the program added accountability for client outcomes, all of which accounted for 30% to 40% of the variance in implementation success. Steps to maintain effective programs are outlined.