Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14
Program Description
The Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14) is a family skills training intervention aimed at enhancing school success and reducing substance use and aggression among youth aged 10-14. Based on bio-psychosocial and family process models, the program consists of seven weekly two-hour sessions with seven to ten families, plus four optional booster sessions. The program covers parenting skills, youth resistance to peer pressure, and family communication using narrated videos with diverse scenarios. Sessions are designed to be highly interactive and include role-plays, discussions, learning games, and family projects.
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 | Population Age | Evidence Strength and Study Populations of Focus |
| Alcohol | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 6th Grade | Strong (Rural, White)1,3 |
| Cannabis | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 6th Grade | Moderate (Rural, White)4 |
| Opioids | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | Middle School | Moderate (Rural, White)2,4-5 |
| Prescription Medications (General) | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | Middle School | Moderate (Rural, White)5 |
| References
1 Spoth, R., Trudeau, L., Guyll, M., Shin, C., & Redmond, C. (2009). Universal intervention effects on substance use among young adults mediated by delayed adolescent substance initiation. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77(4), 620–632. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016029 2 Spoth, R., Trudeau, L., Shin, C., & Redmond, C. (2008). Long-term effects of universal preventive interventions on prescription drug misuse. Addiction, 103(7), 1160–1168. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2008.02160.x 3 Spoth, R., Redmond, C., & Lepper, H. (1999). Alcohol initiation outcomes of universal family-focused preventive interventions: One- and two-year follow-ups of a controlled study. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Supplement, 13, 103–111. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsas.1999.s13.103 4 Spoth, R., Trudeau, L., Shin, C., Ralston, E., Redmond, C., Greenberg, M., & Feinberg, M. (2013). Longitudinal effects of universal preventive intervention on prescription drug misuse: Three randomized controlled trials with late adolescents and young adults. American Journal of Public Health, 103(4), 665–672. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3673263/ 5 Spoth, R., Trudeau, L., Shin, C., Randall, G. K., & Mason, W. A. (2019). Testing a model of universal prevention effects on adolescent relationships and marijuana use as pathways to young adult outcomes. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 48(3), 444–458. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-018-0946-y |
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Training and Technical Assistance
Training from Iowa State University National Trainers is required to facilitate SFP 10-14. The three-day training provides participants with information on the background, evaluation, goals, and content of the program as well as practice facilitating sessions. Trainings can be hosted locally, or facilitators can travel to Ames, Iowa for trainings that are provided annually. Trainings need to have at least three facilitators per program site. Recertification is required every three years, and experienced facilitators can become local agency trainers. The developer provides curriculum materials and tools to support implementation, fidelity monitoring, recruitment, evaluation, and sustainability.
Adaptations
SFP 10-14 has been implemented in over 25 states (including California) and internationally. All program curriculum and service delivery materials are available in Spanish. The developer has also adapted the intervention in partnership with tribal communities.
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 SFP 10-14. If you have implemented it, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us.
Labels
Universal,
Selective,
Indicated,
Individual,
Relationship,
Education,
Problem identification and referral,
Communication Skills,
Cognitive Behavioral Strategies,
Education,
Goal Setting,
Pro-Social Connections and Activities (prosocial adults, peers, organizations),
Problem Solving,
Relaxation,
Skills Training,
Parenting Education/Skills,
Early initiation of substance use,
Favorable attitudes towards substance abuse,
Internalizing behaviors (e.g. anxiety, depression, social withdrawal),
Poor coping skills and behaviors,
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,
History of family substance misuse,
Lack of adult supervision,
Substance use among caregivers,
Attachment between caregivers and youth, including unity, warmth, and attachment,
Communication and contact between caregivers and youth,
Supportive relationships with family,
Peer aggression or violence,
Substance use among peers,
Age 6-12, ages 6-12,
Age 13-17, ages 13-17,
American Indian/Alaska Native, American Indian Alaska Native, General Population, Hispanic,
Required,
Substance Use - General, substance use general, substance use-general,
School (K-12), k-12,
Community-based program, community based programs,
Health/social work counselor, therapist or professional (unlicensed), health social,
Prevention Staff,