A University of Queensland social network program designed to reach out to parents at risk of harming or abusing their children has received national recognition.
The Triple P Online Community platform won the educational category of the Queensland iAwards.
The social network uses gaming technology, discussion boards and facilitation by certified Triple P providers to deliver the online version of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, Triple P Online, developed by Dr Turner and UQ Professor Matt Sanders.
Brisbane web developer Liquid Interactive programmed the social platform.
The new program, funded by US philanthropic organisation the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is now in the running for the national award.
UQ’s Parenting and Family Support Centre Deputy Director Karen Turner said the online community program was under trial in Los Angeles with predominantly poor African American and Hispanic parents.
“Three-quarters of the parents are on an income of less than $15,000 per year and most are relying on food stamps,” Dr Turner said.
“A quarter of them have children placed in foster care, more than half are single parents and 40 per cent have been in jail.’’
Dr Turner said despite some technical issues with getting broadband connections in the participating community agencies in Los Angeles, parents were benefitting from the program.
The California State University, Northridge, and UQ will evaluate the program’s effectiveness based on results from the trial.
The collaboration around the online community in California has been driven by Dr Susan Love, a professor at California State University.
“The whole point is to provide parents with the tools they need to make the right decisions for their families so that their children grow up in loving, supportive, healthy environments,’’ Professor Love said.
“These parents need to be able to learn to make good decisions for themselves and not be dependent on others.’’
Professor Love said she hoped the online community would be replicated across the US if the LA trails were a success.
The Triple P Online parent-training program has been evaluated in four randomised controlled trials in Brisbane, Perth, Auckland and New York.
It has been adopted by several not-for-profit community agencies such as Family Lives UK and government departments, including Families New South Wales.
Triple P Online will be available for direct purchase by parents later this year.
Dr Turner said the rollout of Triple P Online would give parents who were isolated, time-poor or unable to attend existing training programs another avenue to access Triple P’s evidence-based support.
Media: Dr Karen Turner, +617 3365 7306 or kturner@psy.uq.edu.au
