Families and Schools Together

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Introduction

Created by Professor Lynn McDonald in 1988

Early intervention/prevention strategies

Uses a family approach: “primary teachers and nurturers.”

Collaborative: “across systems to address the needs of all children.”

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FAST® Levels FAST recognises that …

- children have different needs at every stage of their lives. - parents need the help to meet the challenges of each transition.- FAST is available from ELP to high school.

• Core values and support remain the same at all levels, the activities have been adjusted to meet the needs of the target child’s age.

• Each level helps families develop and strengthen specific protective factors so children of all ages can reach their full potential.

FAST® – Pre-K Level (for families with children ages 3–4) Learn more. FAST® – Elementary School level (for families with children ages 5–

10) Learn more. FAST® – Middle School level (for families with children ages 11–14) 

Learn more. FAST® – High School level (for families with children ages 14–18) 

Learn more.

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FAST Builds Protective Factors for the Child

Strengthens the family unit Parent-child

Parent support group

Parent/Child to school/community

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Parent-to-parent bond

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School Partners

Community Partner

Mental Health Partner

Parent Partners

FAST TEAM

FAST ProcessSchool identifies families

Recruitment of Team and Families

8 Weekly Family Meetings

Graduation

Monthly Follow-up Meetings.

FASTWORKS

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Closing Circle

Debrief: Affirmations

Siblings continue

Kids’ Time

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Family Unit at Family Table• FAST Hello & Singing

• Meal• Scribbles

• Feelings Charades

Parents’ Time• Buddy Time• Parent Self-Help

Group

Kids’ TimeChildren divided by age

for group activitiesPeer Group

Time

Special Play One-to-One Time

SCRIBBLES

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COMPLETED SCRIBBLES

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SurpriseTired Shame Proud

Sad ScaredLove

HappyShy DisgustAngry

Feelings Charades

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How is FAST different?Research Based http

://www.familiesandschools.org/why-fast-works/

Strengthens parent involvement with child, school and community https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x68PEpdVuw

Collaborative Process

Parent led groups after graduation: FASTWorkshttp://www.familiesandschools.org/sustain-fast/sustain-the-change-fastworks/

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What are the FAST Short term outcomes?

Improve family functioning. Reduce stress of daily living. Increase parent social support. Improve parent-child relationship. Improve child behaviour at home and school Increase parent involvement in education. Expand parent social relationships.

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What are the FAST long term outcomes?

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• Increased child well being and parent relationships• Alcohol and drug abuse. • Violence and aggression• School truancy and failure.• Child abuse and neglect.• Mental health problems. • Youth delinquency and antisocial behaviour.

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We used Program Evaluation by Family process this year. (See Sheet)

Behaviour Emotional Rating Scale (BERS) The FAST evaluation uses a pre and post

mixed methods evaluation design, with two independent reporters (parent and teacher), using standardised instruments with established validity and reliability.

Evaluation Process Various measures are used to investigate changes

in:

Improvement in family and parent child relationships Improvement in behaviour of child at home Improvement in behaviour & academic performance in school Improvement in social community relationships Improvement in social support and reciprocal exchanges Improvement in parent school relationship

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Thank you for this opportunity to share our experience of FAST with you.

Questions/Comments: https://www.familiesandschools.org/faqs/

Resources: http://www.cfs-ab.org/families-schools-together -Catholic Family

Services, Calgary https://familiesandschools.org/ - FAST Website https://www.youtube.com/user/FASTogether?spfreload=1 – FAST

Youtube Channel

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