Strengthening Families Program Online Web Version for Teens

ABSTRACTThis SBIR Phase I project uses formative evaluation strategies to developtestrefineand evaluate an alpha prototype of thesessionevidence based Strengthening Families Programand SFP Home Use DVD as a web assisted platformThe Specific Aim of the newSFP Online!program is to increase family accessibility and engagement by transitioning from costly group basedfacilitator ledparenting and family skills training to low cost web deliverySFP draws heavily on theories that integrate family dynamicsmonitoringbondingand communicationparenting skillsyouth drug etiologyrisk and protective factorsand social learningSubstantial empirical evidence fromRCTs with diverse families and locations shows that SFP works with large program effect sizes to reduce behavioral health risks and substance abusePhase I will determine whether the adapted online version can reproduce outcomes of the facilitator led family group version with minimal loss of fidelityefficacyand vitalityFive integrated formative evaluation strategies involvingparticipants including ten focus groups with potential end usersparents andyouthfrom SFP providers nationwide will explore adaptationsusabilityfeasibility and barriers to useConsumer preference surveys tapping both recent SFP DVD users and agency service providers will explore factors that may mitigate or enhance delivery of SFP OnlineThis approach based on input from both parents and youth and providers will ensure that SFP Online is culturally and developmentally appropriateWe will also rely on key informant interviews withfamily service providers and community stakeholders to address barriers to implementation and the eventual integration of SFP Online into existing prevention and treatment strategiesWe will include interviews with prevention scientists and e learning experts to review the architectural plan and ensure fidelity to current prevention and technology initiativesThese consumer surveys will inform a product specification plan supporting awireframe technologyto make SFP Online a viable web assisted programTo create the alpha prototype in Phase I SFP LLC will collaborate withC Institutea leading software development company with extensive expertise building interactive multimedia technology for behavioral health interventionsC Institute will employ its proprietary Dynamic e Learning PlatformDeLPa customizable technology that integrates the latest in artificial intelligence and machine learningLARS Research Institutea leading behavioral technology transfer company will assist in the evaluation of the program s adherence to the standards of evidenceWe will also draw on extensive community support based onyears of administering SFP products to family service agencies nationwide and other CBOs that emphasize parent trainingand drug and child maltreatment preventionThe proposed formative evaluation strategies and collaboration with ten national prevention and e learning experts should ensure timely and successful completion of the Phase I research activities and produce an effortless transition to the Phase II build and test stage Project NarrativeSFP Online! This Phase I SBIR study seeks to adapt the Strengthening Families Programan evidence based facilitator led family skills training and youth drug prevention program with family classes and entertaining video clipsto a web based platformProviding parenting training and drug prevention via the web offers tremendous cost savings and provides an efficient conduit for mass disseminationThe proposal utilizes five formative evaluation strategies to examine the steps required for technological adaptation and which will retain program and implementation fidelity