The Strengthening Families Program is short-term, high quality, evidence-based program offered to at-risk youth ages 6-17 proven to be effective in substance use prevention and co-occurring disorders. Using trained providers and partnering with parents at all levels, the program offers an effective community based, group approach to prevention by strengthening the family and offering skill-building support to youth and their parents/caregivers. By increasing the decision-making and coping skills of youth and the behavior management skills of caregivers, as well as strengthening an individual community-based system of support for each family, youth with complex needs will be able to successfully remain in their home, school, and community and have the resiliency to avoid future substance use. 

Strengthening Families is a 12-14 week course for youth and their families that offers skill building (decision making, coping, behavior management and others) and support that strengthens the family as a whole. Each session includes separate learning times with youth and caregivers, a meal shared as a family, and a class with youth and caregivers together. Childcare is provided for children ages 5 and younger. 

This project is funded by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health Substance and Abuse Services.