Guiding Good Choices
Program Description
Guiding Good Choices (GGC) is a five- to six-session family training program for parents and children aged 9-14. It teaches drug refusal skills, family expectations for behavior, and conflict management through videos, role-plays, and discussions. GGC strengthens family bonds, promotes prosocial behaviors, and reduces the risk of substance use initiation. Sessions are interactive and skill-based and include a Family Guide for activities. Materials are available in English and Spanish and delivered by the University of Washington’s Center for Communities That Care.
Prevention Category
Practice Level
Strategies
Practice Components
Risk and Protective Factors
Population Age
Populations of Focus
Settings
Parental/Caregiver Involvement
Substance Use Prevention Focus
Recommended Staffing
Empirical Evidence of Impact
| Substance | Substance-Related Behavior | Age | Evidence Strength and Study Populations of Focus |
| Alcohol | Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes, or Beliefs | 6th grade | Moderate (White, Rural)1-2 |
| Alcohol | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 6th Grade | Moderate (White, Rural)2-3 |
| Cannabis | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 6th Grade | Moderate (White, Rural)3 |
| Tobacco | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 6th Grade | Moderate (White, Rural)3 |
| Substance Use (General) | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 6th grade | Moderate (White, Rural)4-5 |
| References
1 Park, J., Kosterman, R., Hawkins, J. D., Haggerty, K. P., Duncan, T. E., Duncan, S. C., & Spoth, R. (2000). Effects of the "Preparing for the Drug Free Years" curriculum on growth in alcohol use and risk for alcohol use in early adolescence. Prevention Science, 1, 125-138. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1010021205638 2 Mason, A.W., Kosteman, R., Haggerty, K.P, Hawkins, J.D., Redmon, C., Spoth, R.L., Shin, C. (2009). Gender moderation and social developmental mediation of the effect of a family-focused substance use preventive intervention on young adult alcohol abuse. Addictive Behaviors, 34(6-7), 599-605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.03.032 3 Spoth, R., Redmond, C., Shin, C., & Azevedo, K. (2004). Brief family intervention effects on adolescent substance initiation: School-level growth curve analyses 6 years following baseline. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72(3), 535-542. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.72.3.535 4 Mason, W. A., Kosterman, R., Hawkins, J. D., Haggerty, K. P., & Spoth, R. L. (2003). Reducing adolescents' growth in substance use and delinquency: Randomized trial effects of a parent-training prevention intervention. Prevention Science, 4(3), 203-212. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1024653923780 5 Spoth, R., Reyes, M. L., Redmond, C., & Shin, C. (1999). Assessing a public health approach to delay onset and progression of adolescent substance use: Latent transition and log-linear analyses of longitudinal family preventive intervention outcomes. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67(5), 619-630. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.67.5.619 |
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Training and Technical Assistance
Training is required and GGC Workshop Leaders are certified through live, interactive, online trainings that take 19 hours spread over five days. During trainings, participants are expected to attend via computer (not a mobile device), remain on camera and actively participate, and be prepared to discuss pre-assigned readings. Prior to trainings, participants are required to purchase licenses to access web content. GGC licenses also provide people who receive training with newsletters and access to monthly community practice sessions that include technical assistance, Q&A sessions, and additional training opportunities. In addition, GGC specialists are available to provide support for implementation as needed. GGC also offers train-the-trainer workshops.
Adaptations
GGC’s developer has an Implementation Guide that can be used to guide adaptation and ensure that the program meets fidelity standards. Generally, the developer supports adaptations to enhance cultural relevance or incorporate local data.
Program Costs
Please visit the developer’s website listed above for updated information about implementation costs.
What California Providers Are Saying
We have not yet spoken to any California providers who have experience implementing Guiding Good Choices. If you have implemented it, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us.
Labels
Universal,
Individual,
Relationship,
Education,
Problem identification and referral,
Anger Management,
Communication Skills,
Education,
Pro-Social Connections and Activities (prosocial adults, peers, organizations),
Skills Training,
Parenting Education/Skills, parenting education skills,
Early and persistent antisocial behavior,
Early initiation of substance use,
Favorable attitudes towards substance abuse,
Positive social orientation (e.g. engaging in health activities, accepting of rules and community values, positive social engagement),
Strong coping skills (e.g. problem-solving skills, ability to stand up for beliefs and values),
Family conflict,
Family management problems,
Attachment between caregivers and youth, including unity, warmth, and attachment,
Communication and contact between caregivers and youth,
Clear expectations for behaviors and values,
Family environment with structure, rules, predictability, and family supervision,
Supportive relationships with family,
Age 13-17, Ages 13-17,
Age 6-12, Ages 6-12,
General population, Hispanic,
Required,
Substances use - general, substance use-general, substance use general, general substance use,
Home,
School (K-12), k-12,
Community-based program, community based programs, community/based programs,
Health/social work counselor, therapist or professional (unlicensed), health social,
Health/social work counselor, therapist or professional (licensed),