Strengthening Families Program
Creating stronger, healthier, and more unified families through a safe network.
What is the Strengthening Families Program (SFP)?
The Strengthening Families Program is an evidence-based family skills training program that is recognized internationally. UYLC trains community members to become SFP facilitators and provides a free 14-week SFP course specifically designed to increase family durability and reduce risk factors for challenging behaviors in youth. Parents and youth attend weekly classes together, learning parenting skills and youth life and refusal skills. Separate training classes occur for parents and youth during the first hour, followed by a joint family practice session in the second hour.
Does SFP Work?
With a 30-year successful track record, SFP is rated at the top of the Evidence-Based Interventions list by most national and international review groups including:
- SAMHSA Model Programs
- NIDA Red Book (one of 10 programs)
- OJJDP Strengthening America’s Families (1 of 7 replicated programs)
- US Dept. of ED (one of 8 programs)
- CSAP Model Program
- World Health Org. EBP list 2006
- Cochrane Collaboration – Oxford University (Foxcroft, et al., 2003)
What Could SFP Do For My Family?
SFP is effective because it’s crafted to increase protective factors and reduce risk factors that lead to substance abuse and youth depression. It teaches skills involved in bonding, setting clear boundaries, and monitoring emotional well-being. By implementing these mirco-environmental changes, it makes a youth’s choice of using substances costly- thus deterring them from using substances.
In multiple experiments worldwide, participants reported:
- Increased family bonding, parental involvement, parenting skills, and positive communication.
- Decreased youth depression, aggression, and family conflict.
- Increased youth school grades, social competencies, prosocial friends, and cooperation.
Get Involved.
If you’re interested in becoming a facilitator for the SFP, you can fill out our contact form below.