Strong African American Families Program
Program Description
The Strong African American Families (SAAF) program is a culturally tailored, strengths-based intervention for African American youth aged 10-14 and their families. It focuses on enhancing family interactions, parenting practices, and youth resilience to risky behaviors (e.g., substance use and sexual activity). Delivered in seven weekly sessions, youth and caregivers meet separately before joining together for family discussions. The main goals of the program are to foster communication, build skills, and develop a positive orientation toward the future and positive racial identity.
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 | Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes, or Beliefs | 11-12 | Promising (African American, Rural)1 |
| Alcohol | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 11-13 | Strong (African American, Rural)2-4 |
| References
1 Gerrard, M., Gibbons, F. X., Brody, G. H., Murry, V. M., Cleveland, M. J., & Wills, T. A. (2006). A theory-based dual-focus alcohol intervention for preadolescents: the Strong African American Families Program. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 20(2), 185. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-164x.20.2.185 2 Brody, G. H., Murry, V. M., Kogan, S. M., Gerrard, M., Gibbons, F. X., Molgaard, V., . . . Wills, T. A. (2006). The Strong African American Families program: A cluster-randomized prevention trial of long-term effects and a mediational model. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(2), 356-366. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.74.2.356 3 Brody, G. H., Chen, Y. F., Kogan, S. M., Murry, V. M., & Brown, A. C. (2010). Long-term effects of the strong African American families program on youths’ alcohol use. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(2), 281. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018552 4 Kogan, S. M., Bae, D., Lei, M. K., & Brody, G. H. (2019). Family-centered alcohol use prevention for African American adolescents: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 87(12), 1085. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000448 |
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Training and Technical Assistance
The developer offers three full-day trainings (total of 24 hours) for between three and twenty people, and training is required to become a certified facilitator. With trainings, the developer also offers program DVDs and access to the program’s video streaming site, resource materials, access to an implementation support platform, and ongoing technical assistance, which is provided via remote coaching, teleconference or video conference. In addition, fidelity visits can be provided for additional cost.
Adaptations
SAAF started as an adaptation of the original Strengthening Families Program, and over the years has evolved into a full program of its own hosted by the Center for Family Research at the University of Georgia. A version of the program for youth ages 14-16 is also available.
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 SAAF. If you have implemented it, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us.
Labels
Universal,
Selective,
Individual,
Relationship,
Information dissemination,
Education,
Connection to More Services,
Cultural/Religious Focus,
Self-efficacy/self-esteem enhancement,
Skills Training,
Parenting Education/Skills,
Peer Norm Development,
Conduct disorder,
Early and persistent antisocial behavior,
Early initiation of substance use,
Favorable attitudes towards substance abuse,
Poor coping skills and behaviors,
Ability to adapt to change and the belief in one’s ability to control what happens,
High self-esteem,
Personal engagement in two or more of the following: school, peers, athletics, employment, religion/spirituality, culture,
Positive social orientation (e.g. engaging in health activities, accepting of rules and community values, positive social engagement),
Positive temperament,
Strong coping skills (e.g. problem-solving skills, ability to stand up for beliefs and values),
Family conflict,
Family experiences of poverty,
Family management problems,
Poor attachment with caregivers,
Substance use among caregivers,
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,
Accessibility of substances,
Lack of plans or ambitions for the future,
Norms favorable towards substance use,
Substance use among peers,
Community norms, beliefs, and standards against substance use,
Opportunities for prosocial engagement in the school and community,
Positive social norms,
Schools and student bodies with strong academic commitment,
Age 6-12, ages 6-12,
Age 13-17, ages 13-17,
Black/African American, Black African American, Black African-American,
Required,
Substance Use - General, substance use general, substance use-general, general substance use,
School (K-12), k-12,
Community-based program, community based program, community/based program,
Community Members,
Teachers/Educators, teachers educators,