Contact:	Linda Wheeler Family Service America 11700 West Lake Park Drive Milwaukee, WI 53224–3099 Tel: (800) 221–3726 Fax:(414) 359–1074 http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/fast
Main Purpose:	To prevent school failure, enhance family functioning, prevent familial substance abuse, and reduce stress
Target Group:	Parents of children who are at risk for substance abuse and other problems
Description:	FAST is a collaborative program that attempts to reduce causal factors related to the above-mentioned problems by starting with young children and using a family-based model. Children (ages 4 through 9) who display behavior problems (at school or at home), poor self-esteem, short attention span, and hyperactivity are targeted by teachers for this multifamily program. National replication of two new adaptations for early childhood and middle school children began in 1997. The multilevel prevention curriculum applies decades of research funded and published by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) from psychology, psychiatry, family therapy, family stress, social support, and community organizing. The core of the program involves eight weekly multifamily meetings usually held in schools, during which positive experiences in family interaction are facilitated by a collaborative leadership team. The team has at least four members: a parent partner, a school partner, a community-based mental health partner, and a community-based substance abuse prevention partner. Each session features the following key elements: a shared family meal, communication games played at a family table, time for couples, a self-help parent group, one-to-one quality play, and a fixed door prize that each family wins once. The program attempts to strengthen bonds within families, among families, and between family and community. At the end of 8 weeks, families graduate from the program and participate in monthly followup meetings, FASTWORKS, for 2 years. The program develops a support network that empowers the parents to be the primary prevention agents for their own children. FAST collaborates with schools, parents, and not-for-profit human service agencies to strengthen the family's internal bonds as well as its bonds with the school and the community. Thefollowup meetings are run by parent graduate volunteers, with backup support from the collaborative leadership team.
Evaluation:	Evaluation results after 8 weeks show statistically significant improvements in the child's classroom and home behaviors and self-esteem, in family closeness, and in parent involvement in school. Social isolation is reduced. Followup data suggest that children continue to improve and some parents self-refer for counseling and substance abuse treatment, get jobs, go back to school, and attend community events. Long-term evaluation indicates that these gains are maintained and that the program facilitates the families' development of connections with the community. FAST is now active in 25 States; Washington, DC; and Canada.

(Source: Description provided by Family Service America, Inc.)

Parenting IS Prevention Training of Trainers Workshop, 1998	SAMHSA

Office of National Drug Control Policy