A Preliminary Evaluation of the Missouri Family Development Training and Credentialing Program (MOFDC)

Introduction and Background In this brief, we present preliminary findings from a quantitative evaluation of the Missouri Family Development Training and Credentialing Program (MO FDC). The MO FDC is designed to reorient human service practice to the family support approach. It is part of a growing nationwide movement whose goal is to empower both workers and families, and which recognizes the need for credentialing or certification of direct human service providers (Dean, 1998; Sexton, Lobman, Constans, Snyder, & Ernest 1997). Based on a curriculum developed at Cornell University, Empowerment Skills for Family Workers, 2 Edition (Forest, 2003), it is in place in 14 other states including: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Washington. The FDC is increasingly regarded nationwide as the most comprehensive credentialing program for family support workers.