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MELD is a community-based parent education program that uses group-based service to deliver
quality parent education and to replace the sense of community connectiveness that is missing in
families' lives. Parent facilitators are drawn from the local community and act as both facilitator
and "mentor," demonstrating that high standards of family success can be achieved within their
culture and community. These facilitators are carefully recruited and trained, and are provided
ongoing support and supervision from the local MELD Site Coordinator who MELD certifies to
manage MELD programs.
MELD targets parents of preschool children and has been adapted to meet the needs of young,
single mothers or single fathers, Hispanic and Southeast Asian parents, deaf and hard of hearing
parents, first-time adult parents, and parents of children with special needs. MELD's curriculum
and learning processes are usable by parents who are not highly literate, and addresses
everyday concerns of low-income parents.
MELD's peer discussion groups meet for two years typically twice a month or as often as once a
week. Using a carefully developed curriculum, the groups are facilitated by volunteers who are
carefully recruited and trained, and are provided ongoing support and supervision from a local
MELD professional, who is certified in managing MELD programs. The comprehensive
curriculum discusses health, child development, child guidance, family management, use of
community resources, home and community safety, balancing work and family, and other issues
related to the parenting needs of the target group.
MELD's success is secured by its careful replication process which has moved the program into
over 200 communities. Training, technical assistance and curriculum focus on quality program
development and the achievement of program outcomes. A seven site study of the MELD for
Young Moms program demonstrated a positive and significant shift in attitudes and beliefs
toward parenting and nurturing children. Results include: (1) more appropriate expectations of
child's abilities; (2) increased empathic awareness of child's needs and appropriate response; (3)
reduced belief in the value of corporal punishment; (4) awareness that the child does not exist to
please and love the parent, rather that the parents' purpose is to respond to the needs of the
child. These attitudes are notably linked to what is known about characteristics of parent-child
relationships that prevent juvenile delinquency. Other MELD programs produce similar results,
with evident impacts on reduction of isolation, decreased depression and increased knowledge of
child development.
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Implementation Costs:
The cost for full-time staff members to deliver the program to four groups of highly stressed
populations (80 families) in the first year is $28,000 and $30,000 in the second year. Half-time
costs for four groups of less stressed populations would be $14,000 in the first year and
$15,000 in the second year. MELD site coordinators are not entry-level employees. Previous
experiences could be in areas of community development, outreach, training/presentation,
supervision, group participation or working with parents in other capacities. It is helpful when the
site coordinator can reflect upon the experiences and culture of the targeted population served.
Total implementation costs (including training costs described below) for staffing, local travel,
child care costs, food, administrative expenses, curriculum, etc. are typically $47,000 in the first
year and $55,000 in the second year.
Training Costs:
Replicators of the MELD program receive five days of Initial Site Coordinator Training, 30 hours
of technical assistance, and site visits to certify local MELD trainers of group facilitators. The
MELD model is implemented by one site coordinator who is certified; however, MELD affiliates
can bring up to three additional staff to initial training in Minneapolis, and general assistance is
provided to executive directors. The replication package costs are $9,000 a year for two years
or $18,000. This fee includes MELD's travel costs for two site visits. Also included are
program management manuals and parenting materials for the first group (value = $1,200).
Replicators incur costs of travel and per diem for those attending Initial Site Coordinator Training
for five days, and a second year seminar in Minneapolis for three days. In year 3 and beyond,
MELD's affiliation fee is $1,500, including technical assistance, yearly seminars, and other
services. (For information about staff development training for agencies not affiliated with
MELD, please call the program developer.)
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