A skills and training program to support and promote behavioural change in high-risk families with children aged 3 to 17.
The Evidence Summaries presented on this site were drawn from the best available evidence of the program’s effectiveness from this review. It does not necessarily reflect all the evidence about the program. The research was selected and assessed for inclusion on the Menu and towards the evidence rating because it met selection criteria related to the specific topic area, study design, quality assessment and the outcomes of interest.
Overview
Evidence Rating
Pathway
- Early help
- Targeted and specialist
Australian Study
Risk of Bias
Cost
Target Age Group
About
Strengthening Families Program (SFP) is an early intervention program that works with families to improve parenting skills and reduce problem behaviours. It is a parent and family skills training program for families with children aged 3 to 17. SFP consists of parenting skills, children’s life skills and family skills training courses in group sessions to promote behavioural change.
Aims
- Reduce child maltreatment
- Increase family reunification
- Increase positive parenting and parenting skills
- Reduce family conflict and violence
- Reduce child problem behaviours
- Improve wellbeing and social problems.
Impact
There is evidence to show that proportion of children reunified increased since removal and treatment start date. The included studies investigated other timeframes that showed mixed results for different follow-up timeframes with showed a lack of effect at early follow up timeframes (90 and 180 days). Evidence was mixed for reducing out-of-home care but there was reduced child welfare system costs when program was implemented.
| Outcome domain | Outcome measured | Positive effect | No effect | Negative effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| System | Family reunification | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| System | Out-of-home care | Yes | Not found | Yes |
| Cost | Child welfare system cost | Yes | Not found | Not found |
How to read the table:
When ‘Yes’ is indicated for one of the three directions of effect, this means there is evidence of ‘positive’, ‘no effect’ or ‘negative effect’. Evidence is mixed and inconclusive when ‘Yes’ is indicated for two or more directions of effect. Further information about direction of effect can be found on the Using the Menu page.
SFP has an evidence rating of Supported+.
This means that SFP has evidence from one randomised controlled trial (RCT) or quasi-experiment (QE) demonstrating positive, long-term impact on at least one child and family outcome.
This assessment is based on 3 research outputs from one primary study. SFP has not received a Well-supported rating as it has not yet replicated its results in another RCT or QE with a different population or setting.
| Study design | Number of research outputs included |
|---|---|
| Systematic review with meta-analysis | Not identified or included |
| Randomised controlled trial | Not identified or included |
| Quasi-experiment | 3 |
The evidence has some concerns with risk of bias.
The quality of evidence of the QEs is low and results should be interpreted with caution.
The study was conducted in the United States and does not include Aboriginal children and families. SFP is delivered in Australia to Aboriginal children and families but local studies may not have met the inclusion criteria to be included on the Menu.
Aboriginal knowledge and evidence is critical to recognise, document and share practices that lead to improved outcomes for Aboriginal children and families. The department is consulting with the Aboriginal community and stakeholders on how Aboriginal knowledge and evidence is defined and included on the Menu.
Location
- The studies used data from a federal demonstration project of SFP for children in foster care with parental substance abuse. Foster care data was collected from the Adoption and Foster Care Reporting System (AFCARS) of the Office of Administration for Children and Families (ACF), United States’ Department of Health and Human Services.
Sample
- The largest QE (Brook et al., 2012) comprised of 781 children (262 intervention, 518 matched non-participants). Target families had child welfare system involvement, a child in out-of-home placement and a case plan goal of family reunification.
- The other two QEs (Akin et al., 2017 and Johnson-Motoya et al., 2013) included a total of 493 and 637 children respectively.
Implementation
Delivery model, mode and setting
- SFP is delivered in-person, directly to parents/caregivers and children in groups.
- SFP is typically conducted in a range of settings, including schools, drug treatment centres, family and youth service agencies, child protection and foster care agencies and community-based organisations.
Target cohort
- Children identified with risk factors.
- Children aged 3 to 17.
Program delivery
- The SFP program consists of 3 programs for parents and children (SFP 3-5, SFP 6-11 and SFP 12-16) with specific programs catered for high-risk groups. A SFP 7-17 group class curriculum is available for parents, children and teens to have a joint session to build key SFP skills.
- SFP consists of parenting skills, children’s life skills, and family skills training courses taught together in group sessions. Separate class training is provided for parents and youth for the first hour, followed by a joint family practice session in the second hour.
- Sessions are proceeded by a meal, which includes informal family practice time and group leader coaching.
- Classes are for families with younger children (SFP Birth-3, SFP 3-5 and for teens SFP 12-16). A 7-session SFP program is also available for the SPF 10-14 version for lower risk families.
Duration and intensity
- 10 to 14 group sessions of 2-hour duration.
Guides and manuals
- The Strengthening Families Program website provides resources to support implementation of the program.
Additional information
- The Strengthening Families Program website provides more information on the program, including training and research.
Staffing
- SFP group classes require 5 trained staff: 2 group leaders for the parents, 2 for the children or teenagers and a site coordinator.
Training
- SFP facilitator training is available for all ages and versions. Facilitators need to complete the Train the Trainer accreditation steps arranged by Dr Karol Kumpfer, the SFP Program Developer.
- SFP group leaders are trained over 2 days in a group of up to 16 trainees (with one trainer). Online training sessions are available in 5-hour sessions over 3 days.
To our knowledge, SFP is available in South Australia.
An adaptation of the SFP was implemented in regional Victoria with 58 families evaluated in a pilot study which is not included on the Menu.
Cost
We were unable to locate any information on the cost of SFP.
References
Studies identified and included in the review
Akin BA, Brook J, Lloyd MH and McDonald TP (2017). Effect of a Parenting Intervention on Foster Care Reentry After Reunification Among Substance-Affected Families: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Child Maltreatment 22(3): 194-204.
Brook J, McDonald TP and Yan Y (2012). An analysis of the impact of the Strengthening Families Program on family reunification in child welfare. Children and Youth Services Review 34(4): 691-695.
Johnson-Motoyama M, Brook J, Yan Y and McDonald TP (2013). Cost analysis of the strengthening families program in reducing time to family reunification among substance-affected families. Children and Youth Services Review 35(2): 244-252.
Studies identified but not counted towards the evidence rating due to study quality
No studies that were identified were excluded due to study quality.