Familias Unidas
Program Description
Familias Unidas is a family-based intervention for Hispanic immigrant parents that promotes healthy youth development and prevents substance use and sexual risk behaviors. It builds parent-support networks and enhances culturally relevant parenting skills through weekly two-hour sessions. Led by trained facilitators, the program engages parents in three stages: fostering group cohesion, addressing family, peer, and school concerns, and building parental skills. Sessions may include family visits and meetings with school staff.
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 | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | Grades 7-9 | Moderate (Latino/a/x)1-4 |
| Cannabis | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | Grades 7-9 | Moderate (Latino/a/x)1-2 |
| Illicit Drug Use | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | Grades 7-9 | Moderate (Latino/a/x)1,3-4 |
| Nonprescription Drug Use | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | Grades 7-8 | Strong (Latino/a/x, Urban)2 |
| Substance Use (General) | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | Grades 7-8 | Moderate (Latino/a/x)3-5 |
| References
1 Prado, G., Cordova, D., Huang, S., Estrada, Y., Rosen, A., Bacio, G. A., Jimenez, G. L., Pantin, H., Brown, C. H., Velasquez, M.-R., Villamar, J., Frietas, D., Tapia, M., & McCollister, K. (2012). The efficacy of Familias Unidas on drug and alcohol outcomes for Hispanic delinquent youth: Main effects and interaction effects by parental stress and social support. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 125(1), S18–S25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.06.011 2 Fernandez, A., Lozano, A., Lee, T. et al. A Family-Based Healthy Lifestyle Intervention: Crossover Effects on Substance Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors. Prevention Science, 22, 602–608 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-021-01220-z 3 Estrada, Y., Rosen, A., Huang, S., Tapia, M., Sutton, M., Willis, L., Quevedo, A., Condo, C., Vidot, D.C., Plantin, H., Prado, G. (2015). Efficacy of a brief intervention to reduce substance use and human immunodeficiency virus infection risk among Latino youth. Journal of Adolescent Health, 57(6):651-657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.07.006 4 Estrada, Y., Lee, T. K., Huang, S., Tabia, M. I., Velazquez, M., Martinez, M. J., ... & Prado, G. (2017). Parent-centered prevention of risky behaviors among Hispanic youths in Florida. American Journal of Public Health, 107(4), 607-613. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181bb2913 5 Pantin, H., Prado, G., Lopez, B., Huang, S., Tapia, M. I., Schwartz, S. J., ... & Branchini, J. (2009). A randomized controlled trial of Familias Unidas for Hispanic adolescents with behavior problems. Psychosomatic Medicine, 71(9), 987–995. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181bb2913 |
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Training and Technical Assistance
Familias Unidas training takes three to four days. Throughout the four-day period, facilitators are trained on 32 hours of program content via program review. Supervision takes place with up to 12 facilitators and includes case reviews, discussion of clinical issues, troubleshooting of retention, and feedback based on fidelity ratings. A total of 24 hours of supervision (twelve two-hour supervision sessions) are part of the training. Training for ten participants and ongoing training and technical assistance is included in the Implementation Package.
Adaptations
Adaptations are being developed to address obesity prevention and for delivery in primary care settings. The program is currently being implemented in Ecuador and Chile, and is being adapted for expanded roll-out across Latin America. Internet-based versions have been created, and show promising results.
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 Familias Unidas. If you have implemented it, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us.
Labels
Selective,
Individual,
Relationship,
Community/Society, community-society, community society,
Education,
Pro-Social Connections and Activities (prosocial adults, peers, organizations),
Problem Solving,
Psychoeducation,
Skills Training,
Parenting Education/Skills,
Community-based Processes, community based processes,
Conduct disorder,
Early and persistent antisocial behavior,
Early initiation of substance use,
Favorable attitudes towards substance abuse,
Internalizing behaviors (e.g. anxiety, depression, social withdrawal),
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,
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,
Lack of adult supervision,
Poor attachment with 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,
Academic failure,
Lack of plans or ambitions for the future,
Low commitment to school,
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,
Opportunities for the development of skills and interests,
Physical and psychological safety,
Presence of mentors and healthy adults for positive emotional support,
Positive social norms,
Age 6-12, Ages 6-12,
Age 13-17, Ages 13-17,
Age 18-20, Ages 18-20,
Hispanic,
Required,
Substance Use - General, substance use-general, substance use general, general substance use,
Home,
School (K-12), k-12,
Community-based program, community based program,
Broader Community/Society, broader community society,
Health/social work counselor, therapist or professional (unlicensed), health-social work counselor, health social work counselor,
Health/social work counselor, therapist or professional (licensed), health social,