U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Blueprints for Violence Prevention, Book Three: Functional Family Therapy

NCJ Number
174196
Author(s)
J Alexander; C Barton; D Gordon; J Grotpeter; K Hansson; R Harrison; S Mears; S Mihalic; B Parsons; C Pugh; S Schulman; H Waldron; T Sexton
Editor(s)
D S Elliott
Date Published
1998
Length
153 pages
Annotation
This volume describes research aimed at identifying 10 model programs proven effective for violence prevention; describes the 10 programs selected from the more than 400 reviewed; and details the goals, targeted risk and protective factors, design, and other aspects of Functional Family Therapy, one of the model programs selected.
Abstract
The document is intended as a practical reference to allow interested persons, agencies, and communities to make an informed decision about a program's appropriateness for their local situation, needs, and available resources. An introduction notes that demand for effective violence and crime prevention programs has never been greater, but most programs being used have not been evaluated. Therefore, a collaborative effort was conducted to identify 10 violence prevention programs that met a high scientific standard of program effectiveness, based on their strong research design, data indicating significant deterrent effects, sustained effects, and multiple site replication. The project included plans for a technical assistance and monitoring component. Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is an outcome-driven prevention/intervention program for youth who have demonstrated the entire range of maladaptive, acting-out behaviors and related syndromes. The program targets youth ages 11-18 who are at risk for or are involved in delinquency, violence, drug use, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or disruptive behavior disorder. FFT requires as few as 8-12 hours of direct service time for commonly referred youth and their families. Teams of one and two persons deliver services flexibly in the home, clinic, juvenile court, and at the time of reentry from institutional placement. Tables, appended program materials and outcome studies, reference notes, and 162 references