S.T.A.R. Family Program
The S.T.A.R. (Steps Toward Assets and Resiliency) program is designed to focus prevention efforts in the city of Plainfield from the years 2005 through 2008. The goal is to help youth increase their resiliency skills, developmental assets and community support. Studies have found that children affected by substance abuse issues are linked to violence, high drop out rates, teen pregnancy and are often times victims of physical, sexual and psychological abuse. The STAR grant focuses on specific populations such as; middle school, high school, community service based agencies and families in the community of Plainfield to deliver programs that will empower youth to reduce risky behaviors.
Programs
The All Stars program life skills based curriculum will be implemented with students in the middle schools (ages 11-14). It is a 14 lesson program that seeks to target and reduce risky behaviors while increasing positive social skills and beliefs. Students work in small groups during the regular school day. No less than 6 groups of students will run per school year, reaching at least 180 students and families. Material is sent home for parents and phone contact is established and maintained for support. Additional parent groups may also be offered. The "All Stars" program is a science-based curriculum that was developed and is maintained by Tanglewood Research.
All Stars addresses five topics important to preventing high-risk behaviors:
- Developing positive ideals that don't fit with high-risk behavior
- Creating a belief in conventional norms
- Building strong personal commitments
- Bonding with school, pro-social institutions, and family
- Increasing positive parental attentiveness
For more information or to schedule an "All Stars" program, contact us at star@preventionlinks.org
The three curricula under the Strengthening Families title address families of youth ages 6-11, 10-14 and families of teens ages 13-17. All the curricula are similar in format and are designed to work with youth and families on relationship and skill building.
The Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth resulted from an adaptation of the Strengthening Families Program (SFP), originally developed at the University of Utah. Formerly called the Iowa Strengthening Families Program, the long-range goal for the curriculum is reduced substance use and behavior problems during adolescence. Intermediate objectives include improved skills in nurturing and child management by parents, and improved interpersonal and personal competencies among youth.
The SFP curriculum includes three courses (Parent Skills Training, Children's Skills Training and Family Life Skills Training) taught in either 7 or 14 two-hour sessions. In the first hour, parents and children participate in separate classes, each class led by two co-leaders. Parents learn to increase desired behaviors in children by using attention and rewards, clear communication, effective discipline, substance use education, problem solving, and limit setting. Children learn effective communication, understanding feelings, coping with anger and criticism, stress management, social skills, problem solving, resisting peer pressure, consequences of substance use, and compliance with parental rules.
During the second hour families practice structured family activities, therapeutic child play, family meetings, communication skills, effective discipline, reinforcing positive behaviors in each other, and jointly planning family activities. Incentives for attendance, positive participation, homework completion, and graduation are incorporated into the program. Family meals are provided before each session. Often transportation and child care are also available as features of the program to reduce barriers to participation.
This program is granted funded and there is no cost to the families or the host facilities. For more information on how to schedule a SFP session for your communit, please contact us by phoning : 732-381-4100 or email; info@preventionlinks.org
