Dates: 2019 - ongoing
In September, 2019, we launched Tuning in to Kids for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. We had completed two six-session deliveries and were partly through a third when the pandemic lock-down occurred in Spring, 2020. We continued through the pandemic and have delivered to more than 220 parents and caregivers, with sponsorship and support from the Children's Trust Fund of Alabama. This research-based parenting education program focuses on teaching emotion coaching for social-emotional development of children. Parents, caregivers and professional staff benefit by learning how to apply reflective listening and communication skills to emotions that occur in all relationships. When parents do this, they teach (model) their children how to cope with emotions like sadness, anger, disappointment, joy, pride, jealousy and low intensity emotions, like sadness and boredom. When children are more competent, it helps families function better, and children do better in measured school performance because they can work better in teams, follow instructions, and control their own emotions. To read more about the evidence behind this program, check out https://tuningintokids.org.au/
We are looking forward to hosting trainings in Alabama - stay tuned!
In September, 2019, we launched Tuning in to Kids for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. We had completed two six-session deliveries and were partly through a third when the pandemic lock-down occurred in Spring, 2020. We continued through the pandemic and have delivered to more than 220 parents and caregivers, with sponsorship and support from the Children's Trust Fund of Alabama. This research-based parenting education program focuses on teaching emotion coaching for social-emotional development of children. Parents, caregivers and professional staff benefit by learning how to apply reflective listening and communication skills to emotions that occur in all relationships. When parents do this, they teach (model) their children how to cope with emotions like sadness, anger, disappointment, joy, pride, jealousy and low intensity emotions, like sadness and boredom. When children are more competent, it helps families function better, and children do better in measured school performance because they can work better in teams, follow instructions, and control their own emotions. To read more about the evidence behind this program, check out https://tuningintokids.org.au/
We are looking forward to hosting trainings in Alabama - stay tuned!
SaPHIRE Study
Dates: 2019 - Ongoing
The "SaPHIRE" study (Starting Physical Health Interventions Really Early) is a community-based pilot project partnered with local child care providers to explore how they implement outdoor physical play curriculum. The focus is on supporting optimal implementation for young children’s physical health. Partners: * Auburn Early Learning Center (AUELC) * Harris Early Learning Center (HELC) * Kiddie Kollege (The Valley) Students may participate in the this project through the course "Designing Children's Play Spaces" (research or service). For more information, contact Dr. Silvia Vilches.
2009 - Ongoing (nationally hosted by Alabama Cooperative Extension System since 2016 and open to all)
Just in Time Parenting includes 40 informative newsletters covering the prenatal period to the end of year 5. Parents / caregivers and professionals can subscribe or visit the website. Year over year, evaluations have shown that parents/caregivers find this "as or more useful" than a range of other sources. The newsletters are ad-free due to being sponsored by the national Cooperative Extension system, and they are developed and updated based on evidence by professors and Extension specialists at land-grant universities. The newsletters are also fully available in Spanish. Students who are interested in public health, the impact of artificial intelligence on intergenerational parenting, and online parent behavior are welcome to inquire. We are also interested in collaborations with other researchers and public professionals. Read more, see our publications, and contact us, at jitp.info. UnLocked StudyDates: 2020 - ongoing
Lead: Terra L. Jackson, MS, Doctoral Student with Dr. Silvia Vilches (Major Professor), Dr. Francesca Adler-Baeder, (Co-Major Professor), Dr. Elif Dede Yldirim and Dr. Cynthia Frosch. The pilot research explored the perspectives of service providers who work with or provide services for families with an incarcerated parent to identify the challenges that may be associated with working with and recruiting families with an incarcerated parent. Preliminary findings highlight a need for researchers to understand the priorities of each family, families' discomfort in disclosing information, and infrequent communication (e.g., phone access, relocation). The results of this pilot study will provide knowledge about recruiting of families with an incarcerated parent, in phase two of the study. Phase I, the pilot study, is now complete, and recruitment for Phase II will start in 2023-24. Jackson, T.L. (ongoing). Unlocked: Recruitment Strategies for Families with Incarcerated Parents. Auburn University. For more information, contact Terra L. Jackson. |
Dates: 2018 - 2020
This community-based research study, sponsored by the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect (ADCANP) explored how community programs and services successfully support the development of protective factors and prevent child abuse and neglect in Alabama. This team conducted 15 focus groups in the summer of 2019, and hear from almost 100 key stakeholders from across the state on how services and supports can be enhanced to promote child development and family functioning. In Phase I (2018-19) the team reviewed current and leading approaches to child abuse and neglect prevention consistent with the five protective factors of the federal “Strengthening Families” framework. The review explored evidence of how parent leadership and community collaboration, two leading practices identified by the federal department of Community-based Child Abuse Prevention, support capacity for community-based prevention. In Phase II, the team conducted focus groups across Alabama with key community stakeholders who do prevention work to hear perspectives on how the Strengthening Families framework is and could be used to support community-based child abuse and neglect prevention efforts. A range of voices were heard, including rural, diverse, urban, school-based, faith-based, and other community-based agencies, including those that work with children with additional needs. In the third phase we worked with a collaborator in Community Planning at Auburn to map community assets and community risk factors. The results of this project identified new opportunities for strengthening Alabama programs for child abuse and neglect prevention efforts.
For more information contact Dr. Silvia Vilches
This community-based research study, sponsored by the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect (ADCANP) explored how community programs and services successfully support the development of protective factors and prevent child abuse and neglect in Alabama. This team conducted 15 focus groups in the summer of 2019, and hear from almost 100 key stakeholders from across the state on how services and supports can be enhanced to promote child development and family functioning. In Phase I (2018-19) the team reviewed current and leading approaches to child abuse and neglect prevention consistent with the five protective factors of the federal “Strengthening Families” framework. The review explored evidence of how parent leadership and community collaboration, two leading practices identified by the federal department of Community-based Child Abuse Prevention, support capacity for community-based prevention. In Phase II, the team conducted focus groups across Alabama with key community stakeholders who do prevention work to hear perspectives on how the Strengthening Families framework is and could be used to support community-based child abuse and neglect prevention efforts. A range of voices were heard, including rural, diverse, urban, school-based, faith-based, and other community-based agencies, including those that work with children with additional needs. In the third phase we worked with a collaborator in Community Planning at Auburn to map community assets and community risk factors. The results of this project identified new opportunities for strengthening Alabama programs for child abuse and neglect prevention efforts.
For more information contact Dr. Silvia Vilches
Phase I:
Vilches, S.L., McDaniel, S., Sherman, H., Burks, B. & Jackson, T. (2020). Phase I Report: A Review of the State of the Art of Research and Promising Practices in Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, 2019. Auburn, AL: Prepared by the Social Indicators Research Lab, Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University and Alabama Cooperative Extension Services for the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention. |
Phase II:
Vilches, S.L., McDaniel, S., Sherman, H., Burks, B., Jackson, T. & Merritt, A. (2020). Participation Appendix to the 2020 Report on the Alabama Key Stakeholder Consultations on Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention. Auburn, AL: Social Indicators Research Lab, Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University and Alabama Cooperative Extension Services. |
Phase III:
Vilches, S.L., McDaniel, S., Sherman, H., Burks, B., Jackson, T. & Merritt, A. (2020). Keeping Their Heads Above Water: Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention in Alabama. Auburn, AL: Social Indicators Research Lab, Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University and Alabama Cooperative Extension Services. |
Mama Bird
Lead: Ania Craig, MS, with Dr. Silvia Vilches, Dr. Adrienne Duke and Dr. Arianne Gaetano. This qualitative black feminist project used an intersectional lens to explore how racism, sexism, and socioeconomic status interconnect to impact the body image of Black mothers in hopes of understanding how their body image impacts how they mother their preschool-aged daughters regarding physical activity.
Craig, A.E. (2020). Creating Black Girl Magic: The Weight of Mothering for Middle Class Black Mothers and their Preschool-Aged Daughters.[Unpublished master’s thesis]. Auburn University.
For more information, contact Ania Craig or Dr. Silvia Vilches.
Craig, A.E. (2020). Creating Black Girl Magic: The Weight of Mothering for Middle Class Black Mothers and their Preschool-Aged Daughters.[Unpublished master’s thesis]. Auburn University.
For more information, contact Ania Craig or Dr. Silvia Vilches.