FAST team perspectives: evaluation report – Havenview FAST program: October to November 2010
FAST team perspectives: evaluation report – Havenview FAST program: October to November 2010 Report
- Author(s): Guenther, J
- Published: 2010
- Publisher: Centacare Communities for Children and Families and Schools Together
Abstract: FAST (Families And Schools Together) is an eight-week, early intervention/prevention program, designed to strengthen family functioning and so build protective factors in children. The program targets the whole family and participation is strictly voluntary. It is conducted in the context of a local school. The core of the program involves eight weekly multi-family meetings usually held in the school during which positive interactional experiences for families are structured and facilitated by a collaborative leadership team. The collaborative team consists of at least four members: a parent partner, a school partner, a community-based agency partner, and a community-based partner. A two day FAST training program for team members allows for checking of activities against local cultural practices, and for planning the first night’s program. The training is beneficial to the team members, as it sets them up for the eight week implementation of the program. Once they have completed the eight week process and have participated in evaluation, team members receive certification and accreditation as FAST team members. Once the team experiences a successful program, the confidence of the team members is raised. In particular, parent partners are brought to a level where they gain an interest to pursue further endeavours. In 2010, FAST conducted its first program in Tasmania. Negotiations began with a number of schools in the Burnie area early in the year (and it was originally considered that the program could run in more than one school) but ultimately negotiations with Havenview Primary School were successful. The program commenced in October and was completed in November. Nine families participated in the program and all completed the program. Team training was carried out on two occasions through the year. A number of team members who completed the first training were not able to continue in the role. Therefore a second session was arranged to allow for a full complement of trained team members. The team consisted of two parent partners, two representatives from Centacare, a teacher from Havenview Primary School, a representative from the Salvation Army (who auspiced the program) and a representative from Anglicare Tasmania plus the coordinator, who was also employed by The Salvation Army. This report summarises the findings of an evaluation of FAST at the Havenview site, based on team member perspectives. The evaluation was built around qualitative methodologies and was designed to be formative and developmental. The intention is to use the findings to improve practice for future iterations of the program. It is a site-specific evaluation and does not attempt to draw conclusions beyond its immediate geographical context
- Urls: https://www.academia.edu/29064165/FAST_team_perspectives_evaluation_report
- Publisher Location: Burnie, Tasmania