Creating Lasting Family Connections (CLFC)

Grades: 5-9

Contact: Ted N. Strader, M.S.
Center on Prevention and Education: Substances, Inc. (COPES)
845 Barret Avenue
Louisville, KY 40203
Phone: 502/583-6820, FAX: 502/583-6832

CLC has demonstrated that youth and families in high-risk environments can be assisted to become strong, healthy, and supportive, thus significantly increasing the children's resilience concerning substance use and dramatically reduces their use of alcohol and illicit drugs.

  • This program is highly effective with youth ages 11-15 in high-risk environments and their families (with positive effects on siblings ages 9-17). CLC provides parents and children with strong defenses against environmental risk factors by teaching appropriate skills for personal growth, family enhancement, and interpersonal communication.
  • CLC is designed to be implemented through community systems, such as churches, schools, recreation centers, and court-referred settings, which have significant contact with parents and youth. They must also have existing social outreach programs and links with other human service providers.
  • Youth participants report greater levels of communication and bonding with family members and experience sustained delays in the onset and reduced the frequency of alcohol and drug abuse.

    Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Model Program, (PDF), 2000
    US DOE Expert Panel, Promising Program