Securing
Funding
The program's expenses have been
kept to a minimum. However, some groups may decide to secure
outside funding to support facilitator honoraria, child care,
food, and material costs. Research results, program overview,
and facilitator qualifications are included in the manual to
use in procuring funding. Worksheets and handouts can be copied
from masters in the teaching manual. Materials for activities
come to about $14 per family for colored markers, tag board,
glue sticks, etc. See Sample Budget...
Location
A public school, house of faith,
or community center are appropriate locations. At least two rooms
(one for youth and one for parents) are required for each session,
with family sessions taking place in the larger of the two rooms.
Facilitators
Three group leaders are needed: one
for the parent sessions and two for the youth sessions. Group
leaders teach from materials provided during youth, parent, and
family sessions. During family sessions, group leaders engage
in less teaching as their role changes to facilitator and coach.
Each group leader is responsible for three or four families and
works with the same families each week. Group leaders for SFP
10–14 should have strong presentation and facilitation skills
and experience working with parents or youth. They must attend
training. See Training...
Planning
Program planning and family recruitment
should begin at least two months prior to the seven-week program.
Recruiting
Some communities have found it helpful
to hire a community member who knows the families to help in one-on-one
outreach.
- Identify target audience (could be a grade
in school, church group, families served by a specific agency
or agencies).
- Invite 4-6 parents from the target group for
a short informational meeting.
- Show 5 minute promotional video, lead a sample
activity, and generate interest in program.
- Ask these parents to serve as "program
shepherds" who will each invite 1-2 families to the program.
- Additionally, have youth and family-serving
agencies refer families.
Attendance Incentives
Providing meals can be a powerful attendance incentive if you
have grant money to provide them or if you have a volunteer group
who can prepare food. If no money for meals is available, families
can take turns bringing snacks. Child care may make the difference
in program participation for families with younger children. Likewise,
transportation may be necessary for families without cars or who
do not have access to public transportation. If funds allow, other
incentives may include store coupons or gift cards for parents
and/or youth. Remember: incentives only work when participants
know about them ahead of time.
Program Evaluation
Communities most often do simple pre-post tests, using the instruments for both parents and youth that can be found in the teaching manual. This quick and easy type of evaluation can be done without extra evaluation funds. By contrast, in the scientific, longitudinal studies extensive information is collected in in-home interviews with both parents and youth, including videotaped interaction of the families taking part in structured interactions. This type of evaluation is extremely expensive and out of reach of most community-based evaluation efforts. More...
Booster Sessions
The four booster session may be held anywhere between
three and twelve months after the original sessions.
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