Workshop Schedules for Adult Family Skills

Overseen By Jennifer M Leveille, MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Midwest Evaluation & Research

Disqualifiers: Minors, Reside outside Harris County

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores the best way to teach family skills to low-income adults in the Houston area. It compares two formats: a compressed weekend workshop (AVANCE-Houston FRAMEWorks Program Weekend Workshops in a 16-Hour Retreat) and weekly sessions over seven weeks (AVANCE-Houston FRAMEWorks Program Weekly Workshops Spread Across 7 Weeks). The goal is to determine which schedule helps participants better remember and use the skills, leading to healthier family relationships and improved economic stability. Adults living in Harris County, TX, interested in learning skills to strengthen family relationships might be a good fit.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance family dynamics and economic well-being in the community.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that these workshop schedules are safe for participants?

A previous study found the AVANCE-Houston FRAMEWorks Program to be safe for participants. The program includes workshops that teach skills such as communication, conflict resolution, and stress management. These workshops aim to help families enhance their relationships and financial stability.

No reports of negative effects have emerged from attending these workshops. Since similar community projects already use the program, it appears well-received. Participants in past workshops completed the program without major problems or harmful effects.

Overall, the FRAMEWorks Program appears to be a safe choice for those interested in joining a workshop to improve family skills. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these workshops because they offer flexible scheduling and delivery methods that cater to different learning preferences. The AVANCE-Houston FRAMEWorks Program provides the same consistent curriculum through two formats: a compressed 16-hour weekend retreat or spaced-out 2-hour weekly workshops over seven weeks. Participants can also choose to attend the weekly sessions virtually or in-person, accommodating various logistical needs. This flexibility and accessibility could make it easier for adults to integrate these valuable family skills into their busy lives, potentially leading to broader participation and better outcomes compared to more rigid programs.

What evidence suggests that this trial's workshop formats could be effective for improving family skills?

Research has shown that the AVANCE-Houston FRAMEWorks Program improves family relationships and financial stability through its workshops. In this trial, participants choose between two formats: a 16-hour weekend retreat or weekly sessions over seven weeks. Studies have found that both formats use a trauma-informed approach, considering past trauma to help families achieve better results. Participants reported improved social skills and more interactions with people outside their family. The program's success stems from its consistent curriculum and support from trained facilitators and coaches. This suggests that both formats effectively teach skills for healthier family dynamics. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Matt D Shepherd, PhD

Principal Investigator

Midwest Evaluation & Research

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over the age of 18 living in Harris County (Houston area), TX. It's designed to help low-income individuals improve family relationships and economic stability. Those under 18 or living outside Harris County cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Reside in Harris County (Houston area), TX

Exclusion Criteria

I am under 18 years old.

Reside outside of Harris County (Houston area), TX

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Program Participation

Participants engage in the Survival Skills for Healthy Families curriculum through weekly workshops or intensive weekend retreats

7 weeks

7 visits (in-person or virtual)

Program Completion

Participants complete the program and initial outcomes are measured

Immediately after program completion

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in parenting, partner relationships, and financial readiness one year after enrollment

12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• AVANCE-Houston FRAMEWorks Program Weekend Workshops in 16-Hour Retreat (compressed format)
• AVANCE-Houston FRAMEWorks Program Weekly Workshops Spread Across 7 Weeks (spaced out format)

Trial Overview The AVANCE-Houston FRAMEWorks Program is testing two formats of delivering its curriculum: weekly workshops spread across seven weeks, versus a compressed weekend retreat lasting 16 hours. The goal is to see which format better helps with skill retention.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: AVANCE-Houston FRAMEWorks Program Weekly Workshop Format Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A trained facilitator, supported by Career and Family Coaches, leads every HMRE parenting workshop for adults via multiple delivery models: in recurring weekly workshops (2 hours each workshop for 7 weeks) and intensive weekend retreats (totaling 16 hours). Additionally, AVANCE offers the weekly workshops either virtually via Zoom or in-person. All workshop models were offered to program participants who were able to choose whether the weekly (either in-person or virtually) or the weekend (in-person only) format worked best for them. Curriculum content is consistent across all delivery methods and target hours for all participants is 14 hours.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Midwest Evaluation & Research

Lead Sponsor

Trials

11

Recruited

11,700+

AVANCE-Houston

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

2,400+

Avance Clinical Pty Ltd.

Industry Sponsor

Trials

23

Recruited

3,700+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The home-use DVD version of the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) demonstrated a significant improvement in program outcomes, outperforming traditional group norms in 13 out of 15 comparisons, with an average effect size increase of 28%.

This study suggests that delivering family-based interventions through affordable technology like DVDs can be as effective as traditional group classes, highlighting a potential cost-effective alternative for families and agencies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Parenting Behavior Intervention (the Strengthening Families Program) for Families: Noninferiority Trial of Different Program Delivery Methods. Kumpfer, KL., Brown, JL.[2020]

The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) was successfully implemented in three cities in France, showing positive results in family retention rates and immediate efficacy among four groups of families.

Cultural adaptations, including local partnerships and training, were essential for the successful implementation of SFP, indicating that standardized programs can be effectively tailored for different contexts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Strengthening Families Program: key points for the French adaptation]. Roehrig, C., Pradier, C.[2018]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05261802

AVANCE-Houston FRAMEWorks Program Evaluation AVANCE-Houston's FRAMEWorks (Family, Relationship, and Marriage Education Works) Project seeks to promote healthy family relationships and economic stability by ...

2. acf.gov acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ofa/AVANCE%20Houston%20FRAMEWorks%20Grantee%20Abstract.pdf

AVANCE-Houston, Inc. AVANCE provides primary workshop content through two distinct dual language — English and Spanish — formats with weekly workshops and a weekend hybrid model.

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-adults-3-2021-55421

Workshop Schedules for Adult Family Skills Trial Overview The AVANCE-Houston FRAMEWorks Program is testing two formats of delivering its curriculum: weekly workshops spread across seven weeks, versus a ...

4. avance.org avance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IDRA-2014.pdf

AVANCE Parent-Child Education Program External Impact ... IDRA professional development causes participants to take a new look at persistent problems and equips them to take action that produces positive outcomes for ...

5. avancehouston.org avancehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/AVANCE_MKT_Annual_Report_2022_FINAL_DIGITAL_SPRD.pdf

Transforming Lives Healthy Relationships Program is comprised of two subprograms: Building Futures (ages 14-18) and FRAMEWorks (adults only). Both provide ...

6. avance.org avance.org/programs/

Programs - AVANCE, Inc. The Families Building Communities (FBC) program empowers parents and caregivers to be community leaders and advocates through personal development and ...

7. avancehouston.org avancehouston.org/

AVANCE-Houston - AVANCE AVANCE-Houston Impact Our programs prepare young children for school and help adults develop their skills and knowledge through education and opportunities ...

8. avancehouston.org avancehouston.org/programs/

PROGRAMS AVANCE offers a wide selection of parenting education and literacy programs to provide our families with the tools they need to achieve economic and ...