| Abstract: | The factors influencing court readiness to implement programs for divorcing families that are evidence based (i.e., have received support as being effective in scientific trials) were examined in a stratified random sample of the 3, 140 U.S. counties. Represented in the final survey were 22 large, 58 medium-sized, and 74 small counties with established divorcing parent education programs. For each court, a telephone interview was conducted with a key informant. Results indicate that 95% of counties report that implementing a lengthier, empirically validated program would be helpful to families, would find support from judges (80%), should be done in their county (74%), would find funding (73%), and was the responsibility of the court (69%). The two important barries to implementing longer evidence-based programs are potential funding problems and parents' potentially low attendance. |
