strengthening families program

Strengthening Families Program 10-14 (SFP 10-14) is a 7-week class for parents and kids, ages 10-14. SFP 10-14 is for parents who want to play an active role in their child’s life and participate in helping their child achieve success in school and in life.

In just seven 2-hour classes, parents will learn how to show love while setting limits; youth will develop skills in handling peer pressure and building a positive future; families will grow and have fun together. SFP 10-14 is a fun, game-filled learning event!

SFP 10-14:
	Builds on family strengths
	Encourages appreciation for one another
	Improves your relationship with your child
	Decreases the likelihood of family conflict and risky adolescent behavior
	Helps parents and youth agree on ways to get chores done without arguing!
	The 7-week SFP 10-14 class uses realistic videos, role-playing, discussions, learning games and family projects. Classes are available in English and Spanish.
	Meals are provided at 5:30 with class starting at 6:00 and ending by 8:00 pm.
	Child care provided.

Cost
Varies dependent on available funding. Sliding scale fee is possible.

What do parents say about the program?
	“It was fun and moved along quickly.”
	“It was great to share amongst the group and to see similarities and difficulties in raising an adolescent.”
	“I learned I can be a person too, not just a Mom.”
	“I learned I’m not alone, that others have the same or more problems. I understand how to better deal with my child in a more positive way. I appreciate this program!”
	“ That following through with consequences and not giving in so easily is OK.”
	“I learned to be patient with my child.”

What have kids learned?
	“Well, I’ve learned that I’ve got to understand them and respect them and they’ll do the same for me.”
	“To slow down when you’re stressed out and mostly not to become stressed out!”
	"I’ve learned that my family matters, it’s not all about me.”
	“I learned not to give in to peer pressure.”

Development of Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14)
Dr. Karol L. Kumpfer and associates at the University of Utah developed the original Strengthening Families Program in 1983 with National Institute on Drug Abuse funds. SFP 10-14 resulted from a major revision in 1993-1994 by Dr. Virginia Molgaard and associates at Iowa State University Extension. It has been successfully implemented with a wide range of families including Caucasian and African American families in both rural and urban settings, American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, Asian immigrant families, court-ordered families, and middle-income families. For additional information about research and evaluation, go to http://www.extension.iastate.edu/sfp/index.php

Familias Fuertes
A Spanish version of SFP 10-14, was developed in 2000 in a consultation seminar sponsored by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Familias Fuertes is also available through the Strengthening Families Program at Family Services.

Extensive research studies have completed with hundreds of families. Compared with families who were not in the program:

	Youth had significantly lower rates of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use.
	Youth had significantly fewer conduct problems in school
	Parents learned to build a positive relationship with their children, set appropriate limits and follow through on consequences.

Local outcomes of SFP – Results of 2008-2009 evaluation surveys, given to parents and youth at end of 7 week class series:

Some national results of SFP 10-14 research
Comparisons between the intervention and control communities showed significantly improved parenting behaviors:

	Communicating specific rules and consequences for using substances Controlling anger when communicating with the child
	Positive involvement with the child
	Better communication with the child

Students in intervention communities were 58% less likely than students in control communities to report aggressive behavior at follow-up evaluations two and four years later.

Cost Benefits
	Analysis by the Partnerships in Prevention Science Institute found a return of $9.60 for every dollar spent implementing SFP 10-14.
	Analysis by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy resulted in two benefits: A return of $7.82 for every dollar spent and a cost benefit of $5,805 for each participating youth in SFP 10-14.

National recognition: SFP 10-14 has been recognized by the following federal agencies as an evidenced based program increasing the protective factors of youth and their parents:

	Program of Distinction (2006) – National 4H Headquarters & Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service
	Model Program - Substance Abuse Prevention
	Model Program – Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
	Universal Program – National Institute onDrug Abuse
	Exemplary Program – US Department of Education
	Exemplary Program - Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention
	Family Strengthening Award - Annie M.Casey Foundation

For additional evaluation data and a listing of research articles written on SFP please go the home SFP 10-14 website: www.extension.iastate.edu/sfp/index.php