ImPACT Update

Issue: September 2026

Moving Project ImPACT Into Practice

Although evidence-based interventions have demonstrated positive outcomes for young children with social communication challenges, families often experience barriers to accessing these approaches in community service systems. Expanding provider capacity to deliver effective caregiver coaching is an important step toward increasing access to high-quality early intervention.

A recent study examined Project ImPACT when delivered by community early intervention providers across California. The findings suggest that community providers can successfully learn and implement evidence-based caregiver coaching practices, resulting in more responsive and developmentally supportive parent-child interactions.

Research Spotlight: Explore a new study examining family outcomes from a community-based trial of Project ImPACT delivered by early intervention providers.

Practice Notes: Learn practical strategies for strengthening caregiver coaching, supporting parent engagement, and helping families incorporate intervention strategies into everyday routines.

Announcements: Stay up to date on upcoming Project ImPACT trainings, webinars, and resources for providers and families.

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Family Outcomes of a Community-Based Trial of Project ImPACT

Authors: Sarah R. Rieth, Marissa Chemotti, Carmen Orendain Soto, Sarah F. Vejnoska, Scott Roesch, Amber Fitzgerald, Sarah Dufek, and Aubyn C. Stahmer

Journal: Behavioral Sciences (2026)

Study Snapshot

What was studied?

Researchers evaluated Project ImPACT when delivered by community early intervention providers serving toddlers with social communication challenges and their families across California.

Who participated?

The study included 47 providers and 125 caregiver-child dyads receiving services in real-world early intervention programs.

What did they do?

Researchers compared outcomes for families receiving Project ImPACT to those receiving services as usual in community early intervention programs

Key Findings

Providers improved their coaching skills

Providers who received Project ImPACT training demonstrated significantly stronger use of evidence-based caregiver coaching practices than providers delivering services as usual

Parents became more responsive teachers for their children

Caregivers who received Project ImPACT showed greater improvements in responsive and teaching behaviors during parent-child interactions

Community implementation is feasible and scalable

The findings demonstrate the Project ImPACT can be successfully implemented in implemented within public early intervention systems serving families in real-world settings

PRACTICE NOTES

Building Caregiver Coaching Capacity

Implementing evidence-based interventions in community settings requires investment in provider training and support. This study offers several lessons for building caregiver coaching capacity in Project ImPACT in real-world service systems.

Move beyond one-time trainings.
Provider behavior change is more likely when training includes ongoing coaching and feedback.

Create opportunities to practice new skills.
Coaching strategies are best learned through active use with families rather than passive instruction alone.

Support providers as they build confidence.
Implementation takes time, and ongoing support can help providers integrate new practices into routine service delivery.

Consider sustainability from the start.
When adopting an evidence-based practice like Project ImPACT, plan for training, coaching, and follow-up support to promote long-term implementation success.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Virtual Training

Advanced Course

The next Project ImPACT Advanced Course is October 12-15, 2026. This course is designed for providers who work with young children with social communication delays.

Moving Project ImPACT Into Practice – September 2026