Sec. 265.151. PARENTING EDUCATION PROGRAMS. (a) A parenting education program provided by the department must be an evidence-based program or a promising practice program described by this section.

(b) An evidence-based program is a parenting education program that:

(1) is research-based and grounded in relevant, empirical knowledge and program-determined outcomes;

(2) has comprehensive standards ensuring the highest quality service delivery with continuous improvement in the quality of service delivery;

(3) has demonstrated significant positive short-term and long-term outcomes;

(4) has been evaluated by at least one rigorous, random, controlled research trial across heterogeneous populations or communities with research results that have been published in a peer-reviewed journal;

(5) substantially complies with a program manual or design that specifies the purpose, outcomes, duration, and frequency of the program services; and

(6) employs well-trained and competent staff and provides continual relevant professional development opportunities to the staff.

(c) A promising practice program is a parenting education program that:

(1) has an active impact evaluation program or demonstrates a schedule for implementing an active impact evaluation program;

(2) has been evaluated by at least one outcome-based study demonstrating effectiveness or random, controlled trial in a homogeneous sample;

(3) substantially complies with a program manual or design that specifies the purpose, outcomes, duration, and frequency of the program services;

(4) employs well-trained and competent staff and provides continual relevant professional development opportunities to the staff; and

(5) is research-based and grounded in relevant, empirical knowledge and program-determined outcomes.

Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1257 (H.B. 2630), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2015.

Redesignated from Family Code, Section 265.101 by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 324 (S.B. 1488), Sec. 24.001(9), eff. September 1, 2017.