Its developer is Dr. Fred S. Ferguson, professor of pediatric dentistry at the School of Dental Medicine, State Unversity of New York at Stony Brook. Dr. Ferguson believes that the key to dental health for children is what happens every day at home and not visits to the dentist. The summit showcased two promising approaches to promote better student behavior and safer schools. The RIP is a parent-implemented program for families with concerns about their preschooler's behavior. The program trains family members to work directly with their own child.
Researchers are in the final stages of a long-term study to evaluate the effects of the program.
At the February summit, researchers, as well as parents who participated in the program, reported on the study to date. Dr. Philip Strain, Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Colorado in Denver, reported that findings indicate that the strategies used in RIP are effective and enduring in altering the behavior of children with aggression and other problem behaviors. The second approach presented was Positive Behavioral Support. Researchers and school personnel spoke of the many positive outcomes using a system that looks at behavior in the context of the setting where it occurs. Schools, families and communities work with this approach to design effective environments to improve behaviors.