American Indian Strengthening Families Program

According to the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) website (https://www.strengtheningfamiliesprogram.org/evaluation.html), the general SFP uses a “multi-method and multi-informant assessment strategy . . . for the process and outcome evaluation [that] includes three primary interview instrument batteries measuring: 1) parent, 2) child, 3) therapist/trainer report to improve outcome validity. The process evaluation includes at least two forms: the Family Attendance Form, including the attendance, participation, and homework completion for each session for each participant, and 2) a Group Leader (trainer or therapist) Session Rating for each session that documents any changes that the leaders made in the sessions, their satisfaction with the session, who well the families understood the material, and any suggestions for improvement.”

The site also describes outcomes for the American Indian SFP adaptation:

“Dr. Les Witbeck and June Smith at Iowa State University have also developed an 8-session culturally-specific SFP for Ojibway Indian families in Iowa and Wisconsin on a NIDA grant. The 5 year results (Witbeck & Smith, 2001) of this randomized control design was presented at the Society for Prevention Research annual conference this year. The researchers reported improvements in precursor risk and protective factors, but no significant improvements in substance abuse. The researchers suggest that cutting the SFP sessions from 14 to 8 may have weakened program. They are planning to lengthen the program and return the focus to behavioral skills training. This program developed special materials for their program, including a family board game being marketed by the tribe.” Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20170508113901/https://strengtheningfamiliesprogram.org/sp-amind.html.