Suggestions for Implementation
Recruiting and Retaining High-Risk Families
Recruiting and retaining families is a challenge for any family-focused prevention program. Enlisting the support and assistance of family-serving agencies in the community has been a successful method of recruitment. Schools, local churches, drug treatment agencies, housing authorities, mental health centers, youth and social service agencies, and tribal councils are examples of groups that have supported SFP and other family interventions. Collaborative efforts with local leaders can greatly enhance the ability to contact and attract hard-to-reach families (Kumpfer, 1991a).
Retention is also an important issue for program success. An interesting program that meets families' needs and involves them in meaningful activities is crucial to retention. Parents and youth can become involved in the practical aspects of the program by bringing snacks or meals, helping with attendance, and setting up the room. Group leaders must be able to communicate and develop positive relationships with participants. Incentives, such as coupons for food or video rentals, payments for testing time, graduation gifts, prizes for completion of homework, and small gifts (e.g., pencils, pens, or stickers) for the children based on good behavior, can also enhance retention. Hawkins and colleagues (1992) found that reducing barriers to participation was a critical aspect of retention. They suggested the following:
- Provide transportation; a safe, convenient, and nonstigmatizing place
for the program; and childcare.
- Increase the sense of ownership and cultural relevance by using indigenous
leaders and involving parents in program modifications.
- Hold discussions on possible barriers to attendance.
- Extend personal invitations and contact participants who miss sessions.
Program Site, Location, and Group Size
The group size and location of the program are important factors to consider when implementing a family prevention program. SFP requires at least two rooms for the separate youth and parent sessions, with one room large enough to hold the combined family session. Site locations can include family support centers in housing projects, community centers, local churches, and schools. Holding the program in schools increases involvement by school personnel and enhances parent-school communication. Churches are good locations because they are likely to have child-friendly rooms and social halls with kitchens to prepare and serve meals; they also can provide access to basic needs (e.g., clothes, housing, and food) and volunteers for childcare and meal preparation.
The developers of SFP originally determined the ideal group size to be 8 to 12 families. The SFP projects found that groups of as few as 5 families and as many as 14 families can also be effective.
Training of Facilitators
SFP can be delivered by teachers, community agency staff, counselors, or persons hired from the community who are skilled at facilitating groups of parents or children. Groups of 10 to 30 facilitators are trained for 2 days in the underlying concepts, program mechanics, recruitment and retention of families, curriculum, group facilitation, ethical situations, and role-plays. Videotapes illustrate key concepts. Participants may choose to present a portion of a session for parents or children to experience leading an SFP group with feedback from the trainer. Training typically takes place at the requesting agency. Additional consultation and technical assistance concerning program implementation and evaluation are available on a program-by-program basis.
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