Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
Community groups and agencies want to offer effective parent education programs for strengthening families and helping prevent substance abuse and other behavior problems in pre-teens and teens. Many funding sources for these programs are now requiring the use of a curriculum with proven results. Strengthening Families for Parents and Youth 10-14 has been recognized as an exemplary, scientifically-studied curriculum by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the US Department of Education. The program also received a National Program of Distinction Award from the National 4-H Council and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Iowa State University Extension has recently revised the video portion and youth sessions of the curriculum and included new research regarding the impact of the program in families and communities.

Response:
Kristi Cooper, Family Life Field Specialist coordinated a two day Strengthening Families 10-14 Program facilitator training for professionals in eastern Iowa . Experienced trainers, Beth Fleming and Janet Brown, Family Life Specialists conducted the training held Oct 22 -23, 2007 at the Washington County Extension office.

Impact:
More participants are fully prepared to conduct effective programs in their own communities that will achieve the outcomes predicted by the research when the curriculum is implemented with fidelity. Fourteen (14) professionals representing 10 agencies from 11 eastern Iowa communities completed the 14 hour training held Oct 22-23, 2007 in Washington , Iowa . All of respondents rated the trainers a 4.9 on a 5 point Lickert scale. Participants rated their understanding of the evidence base, fidelity and benefits of the program at 4.5; and 4.7 in regards to the program implementation and facilitation and an overall rating of the training experience at 4.8. Comments from participant : “Very positive. I'm excited about SFP continuing in our community. It was really helpful to me. By being involved in the exercises I understand more fully how the exercises are to be implemented.”

Other Staff Involved:
Beth Fleming, Family Life Specialist, bflem@iastate.edu Janet Brown, Family life Specialist, jmbrown@iastate.edu

Contact:
Kristi Cooper
Linn County Extension
3279 7th Ave, Ste 140
Marion, IA 52302
319-377-9839
kcoop@iastate.edu