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DARE to be You

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

DARE to be You (DTBY) is a multilevel prevention program that serves high-risk families with children 2 to 5 years old. Program objectives focus on children's developmental attainments and aspects of parenting that contribute to youth resilience to later substance abuse, including parental self-efficacy, effective child rearing, social support, and problem-solving skills. Families engage in parent-child workshops that focus on developing the parents' sense of competence and satisfaction with the parent role, providing knowledge of appropriate child management strategies, improving parents' and children's relationships with their families and peers, and contributing to child developmental advancement.

Goal / Mission

The goals of DTBY are to improve parents' self-esteem, enhance decision-making skills, increase communication between parents and children, teach effective stress management, and strengthen peer support.

Impact

Several studies have demonstrated increases in parental self-efficacy and self-esteem among DTBY parents. Also, the use of harsh punishment decreased and effective discipline and limit-setting increased. Children involved in DTBY programming had greater average increases in developmental level.

Results / Accomplishments

DTBY staff have implemented the program or have provided training workshops in over 100 sites. Duration of replications ranges from 2 to 18 years with an average of about 7 years. At least 45 sites have conducted evaluations. Several studies have demonstrated increases in parental self-efficacy and self-esteem among DTBY parents when compared with parents in the control group, and these increases persisted for at least 2 years after the intervention. Also, the use of harsh punishment decreased and effective discipline and limit-setting increased in the intervention group when compared with the control group. Children involved in DTBY programming had greater average increases in developmental level than children in the control group at each data collection time point through the 2-year follow-up, p < 0.05.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Colorado State University
Primary Contact
Jan Miller-Heyl, Program Developer
970-222-9649
DAREtobeyou20@yahoo.com
https://dare-to-be-you.webnode.page/
Topics
Community / Social Environment
Health / Alcohol & Drug Use
Health / Children's Health
Organization(s)
Colorado State University
Source
SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP)
Date of publication
Nov 2000
For more details
Target Audience
Children
Kansas Health Matters