The Teaching-Family Model: The First 50 Years

Fixsen et al. (2019) tell the 50-year story of the Teaching-Family Model. They trace how one group-home program grew into a nationwide network. The paper is a narrative review, not a new experiment. It pulls together lessons from decades of replication attempts.

The big lesson: a good model is not enough. Lasting success needs three things. First, a simple fidelity checklist that front-line staff can use every day. Second, a living community where coaches keep learning together. Third, steady funding that survives political shifts.

Suhrheinrich et al. (2020) give the exact tool the TFM story calls for. Their 3-point Likert fidelity sheet hits 99% agreement with long-form coding. The checklist takes minutes, not hours.

Carroll et al. (2022) show how to grow the needed coach network. A 5-minute video with voice-over taught supervisors to give accurate feedback. Therapist integrity rose right after.

Thompson et al. (2023) add a speed twist. They trained four preschool staff to 100% FCT fidelity in under a week using pyramidal training. TFM replication once took months; this method compresses the timeline without losing quality.

You can copy the TFM playbook today. Pick a simple fidelity tool like the 3-point sheet. Film a short clip that shows supervisors what good feedback looks like. Use pyramidal training so one expert trains four, then each trains four more. Start small, measure every week, and keep the learning circle alive. Large-scale ABA programs are built, not born.