Implementing Family Guided Routines Based Intervention Among Displaced Communities: Fidelity Outcomes From Ukrainian Professionals in Poland

This study examined the fidelity of implementing Family Guided Routines Based Intervention (FGRBI) by displaced Ukrainian early intervention (EI) professionals working with refugee families in Poland. These professionals, themselves forcibly displaced, were trained and simultaneously coached to deliver EI services to young children at risk for or experiencing developmental delays. The aim was to assess changes in fidelity over time and compare self-assessed and trainer-rated scores. Twenty participants engaged in practice-based training program on FGRBI and caregiver coaching. The program integrated live instruction, self-assignments, guided reflection, and video-based feedback with concurrent service delivery through weekly home visits. Fidelity was measured using the 12-item FGRBI Key Indicators Checklist through self-assessment at three points (pretraining, 6, 12 months) and through trainer ratings at 6 and 12 months. Analyses included repeated-measures analysis of variance and paired-sample t -tests. Self-assessed fidelity scores improved significantly across the three assessments ( p < .001, η 2 = 0.95). Trainer-rated scores showed similar gains and closely aligned with self-assessments, with no significant differences at either time point. Interrater reliability between trainers was substantial to almost perfect (κ = 0.76–0.82). Findings highlight the feasibility of refugee-led EI models and the value of practice-based training and coaching in building professional capacity within displaced communities.