Progress 08/01/09 to 07/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Parents (n=125) of 10-14 years olds and the youth themselves (N=145). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The project conducted new facilitator training of the evidence-based program entitled SFP10-14. The program is being expanded into other areas within the county. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The results of the effort are disseminated in a community-based annual report which has garnered new monies and sustainability of the program for the next two years. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Both community PROSPER teams involve ten members of the community. Monessen and Greensburg-Salem conducted four SFP 10-14 groups. This represents more than 17% of eligible sixth grade population. Thus, we nearly achieved the goal of twenty percent participation. This goal was set because previous research on PROSPER has demonstrated significant positive impacts for all sixth grade families if 20% participate. The teams expect to continue to offer 5 to 6 SFP 10-14 groups and meet their 20% participation rate goals. According to retrospective surveys, parents/caregivers (N=125) attending SFP 10-14 reported: 83% improved family cooperative and problem solving 78% increased parental supportiveness 64% improved parent-youth relationship quality 68% increase substance use rules and expectations for their youth 51% increased youth monitoring 63% improved family cooperative and problem solving 59% improved parent-child relationship quality and increased positive rule enforcement SFP 10-14 youth participants (N= 145) who completed pre/post or retrospective surveys reported: 69% improved stress coping skills 68% increased consistent discipline 67% improved family cooperative and problem solving 63% improved parent-youth relationship quality 65% improved family communication The three-month follow-up found that 74% parents reported employing the communication skills learned from the program when interacting with their teen.
Publications
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Progress 08/01/12 to 07/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The audience reached include families in two school districts in Westmoreland County: Greensburg-Salem and Monessen. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? As part of the sustainability efforts, presentation to local community groups and local business have been made to increase support and achive long-term financial commitments. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We will be conducting 10 groups and firming up sustainability dollars.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Seven groups were completed that involved 110 families and youth.
Publications
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Progress 08/01/11 to 07/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The PA Sustainable Community Project goal is to foster the positive growth and development of middle-school youth by strengthening families, building skills, and reducing youth problem behaviors (e.g., substance use, violence, and other problems). The National CYFAR Outcome being addressed is School Age Youth (k-8). One major aspect of this project involves strengthening the parent-adolescent relationship because of its importance in fostering youth's resilience. To meet this goal, the evidence-based partnership model, PROSPER (PROSPER: PROmoting School-community university Partnerships to Encourage Resilience) will be employed in two communities within Westmoreland County. PROSPER links three existing infrastructure systems (land-grant universities, Cooperative Extension System, and public school system) to deliver evidence-based prevention programs that enhance the resiliency of youth and their families. Through these linkages, PROSPER strengthens the expertise and broadens the resources of community teams to implement high-quality coordinated school- and family-focused programs. The community teams are led by Extension educators and comprised of representatives from public schools, community service agencies, parents, and youth. PROSPER community teams implement one evidence-based family program for youth in sixth grade and a complementary evidence-based school program in grade seven. Since the award was processed in August 2011, the PROSPER teams of Monessen and Greensburg-Salem have continued to recruit families for SFP 10-14, hosted informational briefs for potential funders, and conducted quality monitoring of the school-based program as well as the family-based program. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: This work has several target audiences. First, youth in middle school who participate in the family-based and school-based, evidence-based programs. Second, parents who are participate in the family-based, evidence-based program. Third, applied researchers and extension specialists are provided with new information that contributes to the advancement of prevention science, and dissemination and implementation science. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The PROSPER model of which this PA CYFAR effort is based on is evidence based and continues to generate positive findings from its longitudinal impact study. four years after programming ends, youth in PROSPER communities reported significantly lower rates of ever using so-called gateway drugs (e.g. cigarettes, alcohol), and illicit drugs (e.g. heroin, cocaine, etc), compared with youth in control group communities. This slower rate of substance initiation among PROSPER youth was also true for marijuana, inhalants, methamphetamines, and ecstasy. Youth in PROSPER communities were also less likely to have used drugs (marijuana and inhalants) in the last year compared to youth in control communities that were not in PROSPER. Basically, PROSPER in demonstrating long term-results of improving the health and physical well-being of youth, as well as supporting positive youth and family development. The CYFAR PROSPER sites achieved several milestones. First their attendance rate for the family-based program was 21% of all the eligible 6th grade families in communities compared to 1%-6% who attended similar prevention programs in other communities. A total of 84 families graduate from the SFP 10-14 programs. More than 300 youth participated in the LionsQuest school-based program. In addition, several local business provided funding for families to attend the SFP 10-14 program. In addition, the PROSPER team has submitted a grant to the Grable Foundation in an effort to expand PROSPER into one other school district as well as generate sustainability funding for Monessen and Greensburg-Salem. Funders are investing in PROSPER because of the positive impacts on youth and families and the cost savings. For example, recent cost-benefit studies indicate that evidence-based prevention programs like those used in PROSPER, are economically beneficial to communities, because there is reduced use of the court system and drug and alcohol rehabilitation services. Past research on PROSPER family interventions suggest that for every one dollar the community spends on prevention programming, they are potentially saving $9.60 in later costs associated with special education, substance use treatment, or contact with the juvenile justice system (Spoth, Guyll, & Day, 2002).
Publications
- Crowley, D. M., M. T. Greenberg, M. E. Feinberg, R. L. Spoth, and C. R. Redmond. 2012. The effect of the PROSPER partnership model on cultivating local stakeholder knowledge of evidence-based programs: A five year longitudinal study of 28 communities. Prevention Science. 13(1): 96-105.
- Perkins, D. F., M. E. Feinberg, M. T. Greenberg, L. E. Johnson, S. M. Chilenski, C. C. Mincemoyer, and R. L. Spoth. 2011. Team factors that predict to sustainability indicators for community-based prevention teams. Evaluation and Program Planning 34: 283-291.
- Spoth, R., M. Guyll, C. Redmond, M. Greenberg, and M. Feinberg. 2011. Six-year sustainability of evidence-based intervention implementation quality by community-university partnerships: The PROSPER study. American Journal of Community Psychology 48(3-4): 412-425.
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Progress 08/01/10 to 07/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: At the beginning of year 2, Greensburg Salem became the second site because the Jeannette site School District back out of the project. Jeannette School District had a change in leadership at the middle of year two when we were to begin rolling out PROSPER. After 3 months of meeting, Jeanette decided not to participate in the project. The next three months were spent selecting another appropriate site in Westmoreland County that met the CYFAR community eligibility criteria. Greensburg Salem School District was identified and we began in earnest to get a local PROSPER community team up and running. PROSPER community partnership teams implement one family based program Strengthening Families Program: 10 14 for middle school youth in sixth grade. This program will be offered each of the five years. This program involves 8 12 families at a time who participate in seven program sessions. In year two, we anticipate that each site will conduct 4 5 groups per year 36 48 youth and their families per site to capture approximately 15 20% of the eligible sixth graders. Sessions are highly interactive and include role playing, discussions, learning games, and family projects. Program sessions are delivered over a seven week period, usually in the evenings. Both community PROSPER teams involve ten members of the community. Monessen completed another SFP session which 12 parents attended. This represents more than 20% of eligible sixth grade population. Greensburg Salem had their training for SFP facilitators in the summer and then hosted two SFP groups with a total of 24 families. This represents approximately 20% of their families and they will be hosting another group in the spring. Furthermore, in year three, the PROSPER teams continue to meet monthly and implement effective recruitment strategies of families and youth into the family focused program. Also as in year two, the teams will monitor the school based program from the menu of evidence based school based programs. In Greensburg Salem like in Monessen, the complementary school based program will be implemented in grade 7 starting autumn 2011. PARTICIPANTS: Ann Lail is Extension Educator from Westmoreland, Cathy Struab is the Prevention Coordinator, and Claudia Minemoyer is co-investigator on the project TARGET AUDIENCES: This work has several target audiences. First, youth are impacted by foster positive developmental settings for them to grow. Second, parents are provided with practical research-based information to improve their contexts. Third, youth and community professionals are provide with useful tools to improve their practice. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The focus of the first year evaluation is on the implementation of the SFP 10 14 program. The data will be drawn from SFP 10 14 Participant Surveys parents and youth , and Implementation Monitoring Surveys PROSPER Fidelity Observations . The data reports will be shared with the PROSPER team, project staff, CTC Boards, and the school administration. The PC will be conducting three process measures: a hosting a biweekly phone call with the team leader, and completing a web based report on team activities discussed in this call; b submitting semi annual ratings of team process through a web based form; and c rating team functioning, based on their observations of a team meeting, twice each year. This data is part of proactive TA planning that PROSPER university staff used in our original PROSPER project. For year three as was in year two, the focus of the evaluation is on the impact of PROSPER on youth and families. Quantitative data will be collected for outcome evaluation and process evaluation. The data will be drawn from the online PROSPER Youth Survey students , SFP 10 14 Participant Surveys parents and youth , and Implementation Monitoring Surveys PROSPER Fidelity Observations and behavioral data from school. Reports will be shared with project staff, CTC Boards, and the school administration. The follow outcomes have been achieved in the Randomize Control Trial of PROSPER. Cooperative Extensions reputation as improving the lives of youth and families among key community stakeholders e.g., other county social service agencies and schools increases significantly for PROSPER communities compared to Non-PROSPER communities. According to recent study findings, PROSPER is working! After 5 years of receiving the PROSPER intervention, fewer 7th graders in PROSPER communities reported ever using so-called gateway drugs e.g. cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit drugs e.g. heroin, cocaine, etc. This slower rate of substance initiation among PROSPER kids was also true for marijuana, inhalants, methamphetamines, and ecstasy. Youth in PROSPER communities were also less likely to have used drugs marijuana and inhalants in the last year compared to youth in control communities that were not in PROSPER. PROSPER youth also report that their parents are using more consistent and less harsh discipline and that their time together as a family has improved warmth and cohesion. They also have increased their family time activities. Families involved in PROSPER keep coming back! PROSPER attendance rate for the family-based program averages 17% of all the eligible 6th grade families in communities compared to 1%-6% who attended similar prevention programs in other communities. PROSPER is being sustained at a high level. The vast majority of PROSPER sites 12 of the 14 sites have obtained local funds to sustain existing PROSPER programs and to offer PROSPER programs in 18 new school districts.
Publications
- Perkins, D. F., M. Feinberg, M. Greenberg, L. Johnson, S. Chilenski, C. Mincemoyer, and R. Spot. 2011. Team Factors that Predict to Sustainability Indicators for CommunityBased Prevention Teams. Evaluation and Program Planning 11: 1-10.
- Mitra, D. L., F. C. Sanders, and D. F. Perkins. 2010. Providing spark and stability: The role of intermediary organizations in establishing school-based youth-adult partnerships. Applied Developmental Science 14: 106-123.
- Tibbits, M. K., B. K. Bumbarger, S. J. Kyler, and D. F. Perkins. 2010. Sustaining evidence based interventions under real world conditions: results from a large scale diffusion project. Prevention Science 11: 252-262.
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Progress 08/01/09 to 07/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The PA Sustainable Community Project goal is to foster the positive growth and development of middle-school youth by strengthening families, building skills, and reducing youth problem behaviors (e.g., substance use, violence, and other problems). The National CYFAR Outcome being addressed is School Age Youth (k-8). One major aspect of this project involves strengthening the parent-adolescent relationship because of its importance in fostering youth's resilience. To meet this goal, the evidence-based partnership model, PROSPER (PROSPER: PROmoting School-community university Partnerships to Encourage Resilience) will be employed in two communities within Westmoreland County. PROSPER links three existing infrastructure systems (land-grant universities, Cooperative Extension System, and public school system) to deliver evidence-based prevention programs that enhance the resiliency of youth and their families. Through these linkages, PROSPER strengthens the expertise and broadens the resources of community teams to implement high-quality coordinated school- and family-focused programs. The community teams are led by Extension educators and comprised of representatives from public schools, community service agencies, parents, and youth. PROSPER community teams implement one evidence-based family program for youth in sixth grade and a complementary evidence-based school program in grade seven. Since the award was processed in late August 2009, the Prevention Coordinator for the ongoing implementation of PROSPER was hired and trained. The newly hired prevention coordinator had been a PROSPER team leader, which decrease the amount of time need for her to be trained and provide ongoing technical assistance to the newly forming PROSPER teams in the towns of Monessen and Jeannette in Westmoreland County, PA. As planned, the Monessen PROSPER team began first with potential members being invited to the first PROSPER team meeting in early September. As proposed, 8 members of the community have committed to be on the PROSPER team. In their upcoming second meeting they will learn about risk and protective factors and the evidence-based programs they plan to implement starting in February 2010. The PROSPER team in Jeannette will not be initiated until January 2010. The delayed start for the second PROSPER team was planned in order to allow the Extension team leader time to get the first PROSPER team up and running. PARTICIPANTS: Mark Greenberg and Janet Welsh. Prevention Research Center for the Promotion of Human Development, Penn State University Richard Spoth, Partnerships in Prevention Science Institute at Iowa State University Claudia Mincemoyer, Agricultural and Extension Education at Penn State TARGET AUDIENCES: This work has several target audiences. First, youth in middle school who participate in the family-based and school-based, evidence-based programs. Second, parents who are participate in the family-based, evidence-based program. Third, applied researchers and extension specialists are provided with new information that contributes to the advancement of prevention science, and dissemination and implementation science. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Since this project just began in late August 2009, no major outcomes have been achieved and are not expected until next year's report. Nevertheless the PROSPER model of which this PA CYFAR effort is based on is evidence based and has some recent study findings. PROSPER has a positive impact on youth and their families. Two years post PROSPER intervention, youth reported that their parents are using more consistent and less harsh discipline and that their time together as a family has improved (increased familial warmth and cohesion). They also have spent more time together doing family activities than before their involvement in PROSPER. Families involved in PROSPER keep coming back. PROSPER attendance rate for the family-based program averages 17% of all the eligible 6th grade families in communities compared to 1%-6% who attended similar prevention programs in other communities. Moreover, two years after programming ends, youth in PROSPER communities reported significantly lower rates of ever using so-called gateway drugs (e.g. cigarettes, alcohol), and illicit drugs (e.g. heroin, cocaine, etc), compared with youth in control group communities. This slower rate of substance initiation among PROSPER youth was also true for marijuana, inhalants, methamphetamines, and ecstasy. Youth in PROSPER communities were also less likely to have used drugs (marijuana and inhalants) in the last year compared to youth in control communities that were not in PROSPER. Basically, PROSPER in demonstrating long term-results of improving the health and physical well-being of youth, as well as supporting positive youth and family development. Moreover, PROSPER is sustainable, as indicated by the fact that all of the original 14 communities have sustained their programming through external funding for the last three years (more than $500k in total), without support from the research project. The external funding has come from a variety of sources, including: state, city, business, religious and service organizations, and private individuals. In addition, several of the Extension Educators have expanded into new community sites in their respective counties with new external funding streams. These funders are investing in PROSPER because of the positive impacts on youth and families and the cost savings. For example, recent cost-benefit studies indicate that evidence-based prevention programs like those used in PROSPER, are economically beneficial to communities, because there is reduced use of the court system and drug and alcohol rehabilitation services. Past research on PROSPER family interventions suggest that for every one dollar the community spends on prevention programming, they are potentially saving $9.60 in later costs associated with special education, substance use treatment, or contact with the juvenile justice system (Spoth, Guyll, & Day, 2002).
Publications
- There were no publications at this time as the project began in late August 2009.
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