1. Is there just one STEP program?
2. Do you need to be trained to lead the STEP program?
3. How current are the STEP materials?
4. What research is available on the benefits of the STEP programs?
5. STEP Biblically
6. Vocabulary
1. Is there just one STEP program?
There are four STEP programs for parents working to improve relationships in their families:
- Early Childhood STEP helps the parents of children from birth to six years
- STEP deals with issues of children from six to twelve years old
- STEP/Teen is for the parents of teenagers
- STEP Spanish presents the STEP 6-12 ages curriculum in Spanish, including unique (not dubbed) videos.
2. Do you need to be trained to lead the STEP program?
No training is required to lead a STEP group, if you are a member of the helping professions (i.e. counselors, social workers). The Leader's Resource Guide has extensive instructions for each STEP session.
However, to maximize your leadership role with STEP, online training is available. To get additional information, visit the STEP Workshop page.
3. How current are the STEP materials?
The STEP programs were revised in 1997 and 1998, when both the STEP and STEP/Teen books were re-written and new videos were produced. At this time, the Early Childhood STEP handbook and Leader's Resource Guide were re-written as well.
4. What research is available on the benefits of the STEP programs?
More than 60 studies have been done on the programs. They are available here on this website.
5. STEP Biblically
STEP Biblically corresponds to STEP (ages 6-12) chapter-by-chapter, offering support materials for those who value Biblical principles in their family lives. STEP Publishers is now the sole publisher of STEP Biblically. Current pricing can be found below. To place an order, please email us at steppublishers@gmail.com.
STEP Biblically Leader's Manual: $16.95/each
STEP Biblically Parent's Handbook: $10.95/each
STEP Biblically Parent's Handbook package of 5: $49.75
6. Vocabulary
SAMHSA: Substance Abuse and Mental Heath Services Administration created a database of parent education programs in the 1990s.
In 2007, it changed the evaluation and review process and became The National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP).
National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) has qualified STEP for listing. This means you can be assured that STEP has been examined by experts, that it is based in research, and has an emphasis on prevention.
Fidelity assessment is a term we are hearing more frequently. It is an important trend in accountability. In STEP, fidelity assessment (FA) is the process of measuring if you use the materials "as designed". Do the parents, in your setting, get what the STEP program intends? How do you measure this?
STEP has basic assessment tools in each Leader Manual. Pre- and post-group instruments allow for a measurement of the effects of parent education on the parents. We have also developed additional materials for leaders to conduct FA.
Get used to hearing more about FA. In our day and age, we must prove that what we do works. We can help you create fidelity assessments.