Rochester Area Parent Program (RAPP)

rapp

Building Connections that Strengthen Families

...it makes you really think about how you parent sometimes and what you can do better not only for yourself but for your child. 

 - RAPP Parent

 

 

Two parent participants receiving their supplies.

“This was fantastic! You are changing lives and helping build a better future. Happier kids and happier parents. Thank you!!”            — RAPP Parent

Interested in the RAPP program for yourself or your organization? Please contact: Linda Murray, Project Coordinator - (585) 295-1000, ext. 252 or lmurray@childrensinstitute.net

BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM
RAPP improved parental confidence, skills, & strategies
  • Reductions in children's behavioral problems​,
  • Increase in parents’ confidence, knowledge and abilities to make a difference in their child’s life​,
  • Decrease in parent use of corporal punishment,
  • Increase in parent consistency with appropriate discipline practices​
EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM FOUNDATION
  • RAPP is a faithful implementation of the evidenced-based Chicago Parent Program (CPP).​
  • RAPP offers ezParent, the online version of Chicago Parent Program.
  • Designed with and for parents; research includes multiple randomized controlled trials.
  • Chicago Parent Program is designed to be culturally and contextually relevant for African American and Latino families with young children in low income, urban communities (Gross et al, 2014, http://chicagoparentprogram.org/)​

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE PROGRAM
  • ezParent virtual version for parents/caregivers of 2-8 year olds
  • 4 facilitator-led meetings, 1 hour each​ (Zoom or in-person)
  • 6 modules interactive curriculum for parents to do on their own time with embedded videos, narration (Chicago Parent Program teaching), activities & practice for parents. 
  • Modules fully self-administered; parents earn badges as they complete activities and modules.
  • 10 parents / 1 facilitator per group​
  • Internet access added to Android tablet for up to 3 months for parent use of online program and Zoom for meetings​ (if applicable)
  • Compensation of up to $200 ($20/module + $20/meeting) through a debit card in the participant’s name​
  • Parents keep tablet after program completion (if applicable)
PROGRAM CURRICULUM 

On the left, a facilitator and parent smile as they pick up their supplies. On the right, a finished group holds up their certificates.
On the left: Parents meet up for orientation and supplies before the program begins.  On the right: Some groups come together for a post-celebration like this one.  Every parent will receive a certificate for their work in the program.

 

RAPP RESULTS - BY THE NUMBERS
Year
# Groups
# Participants
% Satisfaction
% Improved parental confidence, skills, & strategies
2023-2024

10

97

92%

98%

2022-2023

10

95

98%

97%

2021-2022

12

112

92%

92%

Total since 2018

82

813

94%

93%

WHAT RAPP PARENTS TELL ANYONE INTERESTED IN EZPARENT
Some positive quotes from RAPP parents about their experience in the program.

Earn $$ while you learn in the Rochester Area Parent Program (RAPP). RAPP uses video and parent group discussions to address the topics of greatest interest to parents of young children.

Who may participate?
All parents/guardians/adults in the lives of children ages 2- to 8-years-old are welcome. 

We have provided groups for parents/caregivers at many partner sites including:

  • Action for a Better Community (ABC) Head Start
  • Asbury Day Care Center
  • Healthy Moms
  • Ibero American Action League Early Childhood Services (Ibero)
  • Judicial Process Commission (JPC)
  • Monroe Community College Richard M Guon Child Care Center
  • Rochester Childfirst Network (RCN)
  • Rochester City School District Department of Early Education (RCSD)
  • Spiritus Christi Prison Ministry
  • Wilson Commencement Park
  • Groups for fathers
  • Groups for court-referred parents


Each parent group is led by a trained RAPP facilitator. RAPP groups are created and modified to meet the needs of sites and parents. 

After a school-based ezParent group finished its last meeting the facilitator said, “I think the group went well. The parents expressed their thoughts about the program and the group. They all seemed to enjoy it. They thought the video examples were really helpful. We talked extensively during each group about the techniques described in the modules. Many parents said they were using the techniques effectively."


COMMENTS FROM 2023-2024 PARENTS

“This is a very helpful program and i 100% recommend it. It helped me view things in a different way.”

 

“It was a great thing to have the flexibility of being on Zoom because i was able to attend even if i was washing dishes, doing laundry or caring for my child.”

 

When asked: What were the biggest obstacles in completing all aspects of the program? What would help overcome these obstacles?

“Being honest with myself when i need help”

 

What would you tell other parents who are interested in joining ezParent?

  • "It’s worth it, whether a new parent or a seasoned one."
  • "Recommended if you have difficulty managing behaviors of your child."
  • "This program gives you the opportunity to speak your mind about parenting and real life situations without judgement"
  • "That it stimulates a parents mind on how they are raising their child"
  • "Do it! Great advice, conversations, and you feel like you have the “village” it takes to raise a child!"

 

What did you find the MOST helpful or useful about the ezParent Program for changing child behavior?

  • "How realistic the situations are. Its not just text book it gave video examples and fully walked through each topic so that its understood."
  • "Being heard"
  • "I like that it reframes some traditional discipline techniques in a more positive way and includes the self care module."
  • "Los tips para mejorar comportamiento del niño (Tips designed to help my child)"
  • "If you don’t want to see a behavior then do not give it any attention."
  • "The most helpful part is making a weekly goal with your child and going back to see what has improved and what’s still to be worked on"
  • "Reinforcing that I’m doing good and that my kids are doing well"