TeleCARE: Adapting and Piloting Child Adult Relationship Enhancement (CARE) Workshop for Videoconferencing Delivery During the Pandemic

The Child Adult Relationship Enhancement (CARE) primary prevention program, based on Parent Child Interaction Therapy principles, trains adults in trauma-informed child behavioral management skills. Traditionally structured as an in-person and highly interactive training with a growing evidence base, CARE faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person workshops were restricted. To address this, a two-phase study was conducted adapting CARE for the virtual environment (TeleCARE) and evaluating its effectiveness in improving behavior management skills in mental health center (CMHC) staff. In the Pilot Phase 1, 11 CMHC participated in a TeleCARE workshop. Descriptive analysis indicated that participants were satisfied with the training, per Likert scale surveys (M = 3.7–4.4, SD = 0.6–1.1). After revisions to the pilot feedback, Phase 2 included 28 CMHC staff assigned to attend either the TeleCARE workshop (n = 15) or a control group with no intervention (n = 13). Using the validated Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding system, data were collected and coded on positive behavior management skills during role-plays at two same-interval time points. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed that participants in the TeleCARE group significantly improved their behavior management skills from pre- to post-workshop (p < 0.001), while no significant change was observed in the control group. TeleCARE group participants were highly satisfied (M = 4.0–4.5, SD = 0.5–1.2) with TeleCARE and its virtual format. Results suggest that providing CARE workshops through videoconferencing is feasible and improves behavior management skills. TeleCARE holds promise for disseminating universal strategies to support children’s mental health.