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Strengthening Families 10-14

Strengthening Families 10-14© is a research proven program that addresses the root cause of substance abuse and other social problems by improving the interrelationships of families and boosting the ability of youth to resist peer pressure. The program has been proven effective in:

• Delaying the onset of adolescent substance use.
• Lowering levels of aggression.
• Increasing the resistance to peer pressure in youth.
• Increasing the ability of parents/caregivers to set appropriate limits and show affection to and support of their children.

How It Works

Strengthening Families 10-14 is based on the premise that in order to reduce the risk factors for problem behaviors in children, it is necessary to improve the family environment and the parents' abilities and willingness to provide appropriate nurturing to their children. In addition, the program helps youth to develop psychosocial and peer resistance skills which make this program more successful than other programs in preventing drug abuse.

The program is curriculum based and "helps parents help their children" by improving the family environment. The parents learn the appropriate nurturing for their children, including ways to reward positive attitudes and responses. This curriculum for parents or caregivers and their 10 to14-year-old children combines parent training, children's social skills training, and family skills training.

The Results

The Strengthening Families 10-14 program has been scientifically evaluated in a randomized, controlled test with families of sixth graders through Project Family at Iowa State University. The study followed the youth and their parents from 6th through 12th grades and found:

• Youth attending the program had significantly lower rates of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use compared to control youth.
• The differences between program and control youth actually increased over time, indicating that skills learned and strong parent-child relationships continue to have greater and greater influence.
• Youth attending the program had significantly fewer conduct problems in school than youth in the control group.
• Parents showed gains in specific parenting skills including setting appropriate limits and building a positive relationship with their youth.
• Parents showed an increase in positive feelings towards their child.
• Parents show gains on general child management including setting rules and following through with consequences.
• Parents increased skills in general child management such as effectively monitoring youth and having appropriate and consistent discipline.

 Recognition

• Recognized as a Model Program by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration.
• Recognized as an Exemplary Program by the US Department of Education and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
• The Strengthening Families Program is recognized as a Program of Distinction by the National 4H Headquarters and Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service.

Cost Benefits:

An 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 Strengthening Families 10-14.

Youth First's Role

Youth First works in collaboration with area schools, churches and agencies to secure funding and to insure the highest quality coordination and implementation. Youth First provides:

• Ongoing coordination and support to those involved in the Strengthening Families 10-14 program.
• Assists with seeking additional funding sources to sustain Strengthening Families 10-14 program.
• Provides the research tool designed by the Youth First, Inc. Evaluation Committee.
• Facilitator training for those eligible and interested in participating in the Strengthening Families Program.
• On going technical assistance for facilitators.
• Budgetary tracking.
• Marketing materials and recruitment assistance
• Program curriculum and videos

To register or for more information contact Youth First Program Director Laura Wathen, 812-421-8336 ext. 4 or lwathen@youthfirstinc.org.