Presenter Disclosures Pat Davenport (1)The following personal financial relationships with commercial interests relevant to this presentation existed during the past 12 months: I am the Director of Families and Schools Together Inc., a non-profit organization that disseminates and evaluates the FAST program. I am also a certified FAST trainer.

Families and Schools Together: Engaging Parents and Community in ATOD Prevention Pat Davenport CEO 501c(3) non-profit organization

Agenda Overview of the program Engagement/recruitment of parents and community organizations Cultural adaptations Outcomes

Program Goals Enhance family functioning Prevent the focal youth from experiencing school failure Prevent substance abuse by the youth and family members Reduce the stress that parents and youth experience from daily life situations Overall, to increase the likelihood of the youth being successful in the home, in middle school, and in the community.

Middle School FAST 14 Weekly Youth Rap Sessions 10 Weekly Multi-Family Group Sessions Fun, Interactive Programming Week 1 Youth Group – 14 Weekly Meetings Weeks 1 – 14, Led by Youth Advocate & Youth Partner Family Group – 10 Weekly Meetings Weeks 5 – 14, Led by the Whole Team Week 5Week 14

Family Unit at Family Table Flag (1 st night only) Meal FAST Hello FAST Song Parents’ Time Buddy Time Parent Self-Help Group Kids’ Time Children divided by age group for group activities Peer Group Time YOUTH GROUP AT FAST One-to-One Time Focal Youth & Parent Family Table: GAME & Lotto Closing Circle Announcements & RAIN Siblings continue Kids’ Time 10 weeks of family meetings

Parent Recruitment and Engagement Youth help recruit the parents Home visits Treating parents as partners in the educational process Voluntary participation Cultural adaptations

Engaging Community Organizations Parent Partner School Partner Mental Health Professional Substance Abuse/AODA Professional Youth Representative Youth Advocate Volunteers Team must be racially/ethnically representative of the families enrolled in the program For greater success in recruiting fathers, team should include men.

Measures Social Relationships Questionnaire (youth, other adults) Social Support (emotional, tangible, affectionate and total support) Reciprocal Support with Other Parents Parental Involvement in Education Family Environment Scale (FES)-Family Relationships Index (Completed by both Parents and Youth) Parenting Style Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (Completed by both Parents and Youth) Youth Stress Checklist Coping Responses Checklist School Behavior

Parent Respondents N= 2,130 Average age: 39.3 (SD = 8.26) Respondent relationship to youth 86.7% mother Marital status - Parents 53% married 17% divorced 13% never married 7% separated 7% member of unmarried couple Educational attainment 20% less than high school diploma 31% high school or GED 30% some college 19% college graduate and/or graduate school Employment 52% full-time job 16% part-time job

Youth Respondents N= 1,965 Average age: 12.2 years (SD = 1.04) 48% male Race/ethnicity –37% White –19% African American –25% Hispanic/Latino –4% Native American –1% Asian Suspended from school in past year: 26% Skipped school in past year: 36% Grades, mostly C’s and below: 22%

SDQ – Parent

SDQ - Youth

Family Environment (FES) - Youth

Parental Involvement in School

Conclusion Following their participation in Middle School FAST: Youth reported improved family relations, improved youth behavior Parents report improved family relations, improved youth behavior and increased school involvement

Interested in learning more about FAST? Attend our Discovery FAST Informational Seminar at the International FAST Training Conference! Or begin earning your trainer certification at one of our Pre-Certification Training Seminars! January 24-28, 2011 Las Vegas, Nevada click on the events tab! Or call Aubrey at for more information

Headquarters address: Families and Schools Together Inc International Lane, Suite 212 Madison, WI Phone: Toll-free: Fax: