Families and Schools Together (FAST)

At a glance

Program or Strategy Type
Direct Service
Intervention Continuum
Universal
Selective
Indicated
Age group(s)
Early Childhood (3-4)
Late Childhood (5-11)
Adulthood
Setting(s)
School
Community
Home
Tribal
DBHR Prevention Funding Source(s)
EIP
MHPP
Tribal
EBP Designation
Evidence Based Program (EBP) for EIP
Promising Program for MHPP
Tier 1 - Research Based Practice (RBP) for Tribes/UIOs
Versions with EBP Designations
Elementary (EIP, MHPP); FAST for American Indian Children (Tribal)
Program or Strategy Description

Families and Schools Together (FAST) is a multifamily group intervention designed to build relationships between families, schools, and communities to increase well-being among elementary school children. The program's objectives are to enhance family functioning, prevent school failure, prevent substance misuse by the children and other family members, and reduce the stress that children and parents experience in daily situations. Participants in the multifamily group work together to enhance protective factors for children, including parent-child bonding, parent involvement in schools, parent networks, family communication, parental authority, and social capital, with the aim of reducing the children's anxiety and aggression and increasing their social skills and attention spans.
FAST includes three components: outreach to parents, eight weekly multifamily group sessions, and ongoing monthly group reunions for up to 24 months to support parents as the primary prevention agents for their children. Collaborative teams of parents/caregivers, professionals (e.g., substance abuse or mental health professionals), and school personnel facilitate the groups, which meet at the school at the end of the school day. With each cycle of FAST implementation, 30 to 50 students in one grade level and their families can participate.
Although versions of FAST have been developed for families with children of all ages (babies through teens), the research reviewed for this summary included only elementary school children.

Status on Other Registries or Inventories
Blueprints: Not on registry
CrimeSolutions: Effective
CEBC: Not on registry
WSIPP Youth Cannabis 2019: Null
WSIPP Children's Services 2020: Null
Title IV-E Clearinghouse: Not on registry
What Works Clearinghouse: Not on registry
CASEL Program Guide: Not on registry
Suicide Prevention Resource Center: Not on registry

Contexts

Race/Ethnicity
All
(Dis)ability
Not specified
Gender
Female, Male
LGBTQ+
Not specified
Urbanicity
Urban
Suburban
Rural
Language
Elementary Version- English, Spanish
Middle and High School- Not specified
Name and Contact of Program Developer

Carol Goedken cgoedken@familiesandschools.org

Characteristics

Protective factor(s) addressed

Individual Protective Factors
Clear Standards for Behavior
Perceived Risk of Drug Use
Prosocial Behavior
Prosocial Involvement
Skills for Social Interaction
Peer Protective Factors
Not Specified
Family Protective Factors
Rewards for Prosocial Involvement with Parents
School Protective Factors
Opportunities for Prosocial Involvement in Education
Neighborhood/Community Protective Factors
Not Specified

Risk factor(s) addressed

Individual Risk Factors
Early Initiation of Drug Use
Favorable Attitudes Towards Drug Use
Substance Use
Peer Risk Factors
Not Specified
Family Risk Factors
Family Conflict / Violence
Parental Attitudes Favorable towards Drug Use
Poor Family Management
School Risk Factors
Not Specified
Neighborhood/Community Risk Factors
Not Specified

Outcomes targeted

Problem Behavior Outcomes
Antisocial-aggressive Behavior
Externalizing Symptoms / Behavior
Illicit Drug Use
Positive Social / Prosocial Behavior
Education Outcomes
Academic Performance
Cognitive Development
Emotional Well-being Outcomes
Anxiety
Depression
Internalizing Symptoms / Behavior
Positive Relationships Outcomes
Close relationships with parents

Implementation stories