Adapting a Caregiver Coaching Model for Supporting Families of Young Children with Disabilities (RPA Pilot/ Seed Project)

The purpose of this project is to evaluate a multi-component coaching model provided in a community-based center to train parents to address adaptive behaviors and language development in children who have or are at-risk of disabilities. The University of Kentucky Center for Applied Behavioral Supports (CABS) was established in 2017 as a training site for graduate students and as a community resource for all families with children with or at risk for disabilities. We have served families at no cost and will serve any family in the community. As part of this project, we will evaluate our current coaching model. Also, we will modify and improve our service delivery by evaluating an approach where treatment is modified on an ongoing basis, given the family’s viewpoints, including cultural considerations. Finally, as part of this project, we will obtain feedback about the lived experiences of families that include young children who have or are at-risk of disabilities. The findings from this study will allow the team to obtain further funding while also improving service delivery for families in the community.