Strengthening Families Program/Strengthening Hawaii Families

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

Strengthening Hawaii Families is an evidence-based intervention that provides life-skills training for elementary-age children and their families. The 14-week program is designed to demonstrate the link between substance abuse and family functioning, specifically addressing the needs of Pacific Island and Asian families. Each session begins with the parents and children engaging in a fun, learning activity together. The children and parents then meet in separate groups for skills training. Each session concludes with the children and parents sharing what they learned.

The culturally-tailored version of the program (which is only 10 sessions long) was not as effective. This is possibly because the shift from a behavioral to values-based program decreased emphasis on behavior change.

Goal / Mission

The program aims to reduce substance abuse risk factors and improve relationships in high-risk families.

Results / Accomplishments

Preliminary analyses have demonstrated significant reductions in family conflict; significant improvements in family cohesion and family organization; and significant improvement in family communication.

In a study conducted in the United States and Canada, families with a parent who had problems with alcohol in the past 5 years were exposed to SFP or a control condition. Children who received SFP had lower scores on conduct disorder symptoms (p < .01), oppositional defiance symptoms (p < .05), and behavior problems (p < .05) than children in the control group. Families who participated in SFP reported improvements in overt aggression, covert aggression, concentration problems, criminal behavior, social skills, alcohol and drug use, and depression (all p values < .01).

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii
Primary Contact
Cheryl Kameoka
Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii
1130 North Nimitz Highway, A259
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 545-3228
ckameoka@drugfreehawaii.org
https://strengtheningfamiliesprogram.org/contact.h...
Topics
Community / Social Environment
Health / Alcohol & Drug Use
Health / Prevention & Safety
Organization(s)
Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii
Source
SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices
Date of publication
2007
Location
Hawaii
For more details
Target Audience
Families, Racial/Ethnic Minorities