Strengthening Families Program | For Parents and Youth 10-14

History

The First Strengthening Families Program

The first Strengthening Families Program was developed by Karol Kumpfer at the University of Utah and deemed effective by the National Institute of Drug Abuse in the early 1980s. The original version was created for children ages 6-11. Since that time the Utah Strengthening Families Program has been modified for younger children (ages 3-5) and young teens (ages 13-17).

Iowa Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14

Researchers and Extension faculty Virginia Molgaard at Iowa State University collaborated to adapt and study SFP for families with early adolescents (SFP for Parents and Youth 10-14). Extensive research on the Iowa version of the program has demonstrated that it is effective in delaying adolescents' use of alcohol and tobacco; reducing aggression; and improving parents' family management skills.

Dissemination of Strengthening Families Program in Washington

In 1999, Extension faculty at Washington State University identified early adolescence as a priority area for new programming. They adopted SFP for Parents and Youth 10-14 because it was an evidence-based program, developed by Extension faculty and considered a model or exemplary program by several federal agencies.

WSU has now trained over 400 facilitators from 29 Washington Counties. We have collected program evaluation data from nearly 100 programs and over 2000 parents and youth. In 2003 we formed an interagency team with representatives of the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA), the Family Policy Council, Community Technology and Economic Development (CTED), the Department of Health, and a number of Educational School Districts. In 2004 we incorporated the Spanish-language version of the program into our dissemination effort.

Highlights of the WSU Dissemination Effort

1999

WSU Extension educators Drew Betz & Chris Koehler trained by SFP developers (Lee and Virginia Molgaard)

2000

First programs implemented, first facilitator trainings conducted by Chris and Drew

2001

WSU team formed to coordinate dissemination and evaluation of SFP in Washington

2002

First WSU evaluations conducted and reported

2003

First presentation of SFP data at national conference of the Society for Prevention Research
First meeting of State Interagency team

2004

First training for Spanish-language version of SFP

2005

DASA grant awarded
WSU, SFP & CTED combine evaluation efforts
Joint Spanish-English facilitator training in Yakima

2006

Second joint Spanish-English facilitator training in Yakima
New website finally up and working
(WSU version of Spanish-language SFP manual published: November)
(Updated SFP videos issued by Iowa State University: December)

2007 Goals

Increase Spanish-language capacity by training more TOTs
Submit NIDA grant for effectiveness trial of Spanish-language SFP
Begin organized publicity effort

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Strengthening Families Program, PO Box 644852, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-4852, (866) 206-7156, Contact Us