KEEP Toddler
KEEP Toddler, an adaptation of KEEP Standard, is a parent skills training and support program designed for foster and kinship parents of children ages 2–4. KEEP Toddler can be delivered to informal kinship parents who are caring for a child outside of the child welfare system (such as grandparents, aunts, or uncles) using KEEP Connecting Kin – Toddler. KEEP Toddler aims to empower parents to be agents of change for the children in their care and ultimately decrease placement disruptions, increase permanency, and improve child outcomes. KEEP Toddler uses a trauma-informed approach focusing on: (1) reinforcing normative and pro-social behavior, (2) incentivizing positive behavior, (3) building cooperation, (4) teaching new behaviors, (5) using gentle and effective limit setting, and (6) managing emotions while parenting.
Each week, parents participate in a group session, complete a home practice assignment, and participate in individual discussions about their child’s behavior to help track progress and challenges. During the group session, group leaders share parenting strategies, lead peer-to-peer discussions about those strategies in the context of the parent’s unique home and the child they are caring for, and facilitate role-plays to practice new behaviors and parenting techniques.
Group leaders tailor KEEP Toddler content to the specific behaviors and challenges that parents share and their toddlers’ developmental needs. Session 1 provides an overview of the program and introduces parents to each other. Session 2 focuses on the use of praise and positive reinforcement to encourage cooperation. Sessions 3–5 explore strategies to monitor and manage behavior, such as using charts and incentives. Sessions 6–8 explore limit setting, discipline strategies, and how to balance limit setting and discipline with encouragement. Session 9 discusses how parents can set their child up for success in advance of a difficult situation by teaching positive and safe behaviors. Sessions 10 and 11 focus on power struggles and addressing challenging behaviors. Sessions 12 and 13 address promoting preschool or daycare success, establishing routines, school readiness, and encouraging positive peer relationships. Session 14 focuses on stress management strategies for parents. Sessions 15 and 16 review earlier content and celebrate the parents’ strengths and successes.
KEEP Connecting Kin – Toddler group sessions also include a peer-led discussion to share ideas and experiences finding and accessing financial, educational, and social support.
KEEP Toddler does not currently meet criteria to receive a rating because no studies met eligibility criteria for review.
Date Research Evidence Last Reviewed: Sep 2024
Sources
The following sources informed the program or service description, target population, and program or service delivery and implementation information: the program or service manual and the program or service developer’s website.
This information does not necessarily represent the views of the program or service developers. For more information on how this program or service was reviewed, visit the download the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 1.0
Target Population
KEEP Toddler is designed for foster and kinship parents of children ages 2–4.
Dosage
Group leaders deliver KEEP Toddler to groups of 7–12 parents in 16 weekly 90-minute sessions. Two group leaders facilitate each KEEP Toddler session. A group leader also connects individually with each parent during a weekly 10-minute phone call.
Location/Delivery Setting
Recommended Locations/Delivery Settings
Group leaders deliver KEEP Toddler in person in community settings or online.
Education, Certifications and Training
Group leaders participate in a 5-day training on the core components of the KEEP Toddler program. Group leaders typically start leading KEEP groups within three weeks after completing training.
Group leaders may apply for certification after leading three groups. Group leaders who choose to obtain certification participate in weekly coaching sessions with coaches from the Oregon Social Learning Center Developments, Inc. (ODI). All KEEP sessions are recorded to monitor alignment to the model and are submitted to ODI for use in the weekly coaching sessions.
For organizations that would like to implement KEEP Toddler, a 3-month pre-implementation planning process is required. Site certification and a train-the-trainer program are available for organizations that would like to grow the program in their area.
Program or Service Documentation
Book/Manual/Available documentation used for review
KEEP Toddler:
Keeping Families Supported. (2023). KEEP group leader manual: Toddler model.
KEEP Connecting Kin – Toddler:
Keeping Families Supported. (2023). KEEP group leader manual: KEEP Connecting Kin – Toddler model.
KEEP Connecting Kin – Toddler was not determined to have any substantial adaptations from KEEP Toddler and therefore was not considered to be a different program or service for the purposes of the review.
Available languages
KEEP Toddler materials are available in English and Spanish.
Other supporting materials
For More Information
Website: https://keepforfamilies.org/
Contact Form: https://keepforfamilies.org/contact/
Note: The details on Dosage; Location; Education, Certifications, and Training; Other Supporting Materials; and For More Information sections above are provided to website users for informational purposes only. This information is not exhaustive and may be subject to change.
| Results of Search and Review | Number of Studies Identified and Reviewed for KEEP Toddler |
|---|---|
| Identified in Search | 0 |
| Eligible for Review | 0 |
| Rated High | 0 |
| Rated Moderate | 0 |
| Rated Low | 0 |
| Reviewed Only for Risk of Harm | 0 |