Table 2.

Topics for the Initial Foster/Kin Parent Group Sessions

Session	Topic	Description
1	Group orientation and overview	Introduce group members and leaders Overview of issues facing pre-adolescent girls and discussion of group rules Home practice: List 5 best things about foster girl and 5 aspects of their parenting they feel best about
2	Encouraging cooperation/adult requests Tracking relational aggression	Review home practice assignment What are reasonable expectations? Definition of cooperation. Spotting relational aggression and rationale for intervening even though it is a “little” thing How adult requests can be framed and common pitfalls Home practice: Deliver and watch the reaction to 10 requests
3	Basics of behavioral contracting/tracking	Review of home practice assignment Discuss systematic tracking and breaking tasks down Using steps toward the target behavior to set up a point and level system Home practice: Track a target behavior and devise a point and level system
4	Fine tuning and individualizing the point and level system - keeping it relevant and responsive to girls’ changing needs	Review of home practice assignment Group discussion and review of contracts Discuss the use of behavioral incentives Home practice: Continue to track, to talk to foster children about incentives, and to revise contracts
5	Presenting behavioral change plans to girls	Review of home practice assignment Discuss how to frame the point and level system so that it will be received positively Home practice: Present the point and level system to the girl and implement
6	Limit setting	Review of home practice assignment Discuss the balance between encouragement and limit setting Present the principles of effective discipline Home practice: Continue to refine and implement the point and level system