Strengthening Families Program
Ages: 10-14 and their parents
Contact: Virginia Molgaard
119 Kooser Drive
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011
Phone: 515/294-1426
Ages: 10-14 and their parents
Contact: Virginia Molgaard
The Strengthening Families Program was originally tested with drug-abusing urban parents in outpatient treatment. It has been culturally modified and found effective with African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Hispanic families. Parents and children attend 14 weekly sessions of two hours each. Parents and children attend separate sessions during the first hour (when parents learn about family management and children focus on social skills); during the second hour they come together for family skills training. To increase participation, incentives such as snacks, transportation, and rewards are used. Evaluations have found significant improvements in parenting skills, children's pro-social behavior, and family relationships.
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Model Program, (PDF)
National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1997
US DOE Expert Panel,
Exemplary Program