Core Components

The FAST programme is a multi-family group programme, targeted at school children and their families. This after school programme is delivered in the school, and aims to promote positive parenting; enhance positive relationships between families and schools; and help children thrive and develop their full potential within a supportive community. The FAST programme can be delivered to up to 80 families, split into multi-family groups of 8-10 families each (or “hubs”). The number of families included in the FAST programme is dependent on the available student population / school size. The programme is delivered to each hub by a trained 4-10 person FAST team, hence the number of FAST teams at each implementing site will depend on the number of families included in the programme. FAST team members should be culturally representative of the families in the group, and are composed of at least one parent partner, one school partner, and two community partners.  

The FAST programme is delivered as a FAST cycle. The FAST cycle is composed of 2.5 hour weekly sessions delivered for 8 weeks. Activities conducted include family communication games; positive parenting techniques; active listening; responsive play therapy; and behavioural rehearsals. Specific activities to be carried out in each session are stated in the training handbook. The training handbook also highlight where adaptations to these activities can be made to reflect the culture and religion of participating families. 

FAST programme is currently available at three levels; a. Elementary school level (4-10 years); b. Middle school level (10-14 years); c. High school level (14-18 years). These three levels are based on the same theories and approaches. However, activities conducted in the elementary and middle school levels differ slightly, and the programme structure within the high school level also slightly differs. These have been done to adapt the programme to the different ages of the children in the different groups. Each level has its’ own team member requirement, and its’ own training handbook. A fourth level called the Early Childhood level (for children 0-5 years) is currently under development. 

FAST programme is open to all families and participation is voluntary. On completion of this programme, families continue to meet up monthly, for at least two years through the FASTWORKS programme. FASTWORKS is an integral component of the FAST programme. It provides a supportive environment for families as they continue to practise their skills, and work in collaboration to achieve shared goals. 

Fidelity

Fidelity is managed through a range of steps:

• Comprehensive two (2) day training delivered by certified FAST trainer

• Three (3) site visits by certified FAST trainer to observe site activities, and provide support and advise to FAST team

• Completion of site visit report by FAST trainer

• Trainer and team members review of Programme Integrity Checklist (PIC) to evaluate adherence to FAST twelve (12) core components 

• Provision of FAST team members with Quality of Implementation Checklist (QIC) for core component implementation guidance 

• Evaluation report provided to organisation/ site by FAST programme developers

Modifiable Components 

Activities within the FAST programme can be adapted to meet the culture and religion of the countries where the programme is implemented. Adaptations are made to ensure activities fit local context. Brazil, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Australia have successfully implemented the programme. 

Families and Schools Together, Inc. is a non-profit organisation based in Wisconsin, USA. They offer FAST programme at different levels categorised according to age.

Support for Organisation / Practice

Implementation Support

Certified FAST trainers deliver trainings to FAST team members; provide implementation support to FAST team members; help FAST team members evaluate the outcomes achieved after each FAST cycle; and assess the impact of the programme in the community. Nominated FAST team members can proceed with the certification process, and FAST provides the training, evaluation, and intern supervision required during this process.  The certification process develops certified FAST trainers who can effectively teach the programme, and help FAST teams deliver the programme with fidelity. 

FAST also offer a FAST evaluation and services package. This package provides implementing sites with advice and support needed to effectively implement the FAST programme; and measures the impact of the programme. Within this package, FAST provides implementing sites with evaluations tools (pre- and post-programme surveys); tailored technical assistance services; and FAST learning extensions (i.e. webinars). 

Licence Requirements

There is a licence requirement for organisations who want to implement this programme.

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs include team members training which costs $5045 per team. Initial evaluation is also required and this costs $1000. If a sponsoring organisation would like to sponsor a certified FAST trainer, this will cost $9170. FAST new member webinar training costs $750, and in-person new member training costs $1000.

Other implementation costs include FAST evaluation and services package priced at $1125; and re- certification training which costs $1250. Training costs are not inclusive of travel costs, as certified FAST trainer will need to travel to the implementing site for trainings and site visits.

Building Staff Competency

Qualifications Required

There are no minimum educational qualifications for team members. However, FAST team must be a demographic match to the children and families participating in the programme. Each FAST team at the elementary school level is composed of:

• Parent partner: Has a child attending the school where FAST is to be implemented

• School partner: Staff at participating school. Could be a classroom teacher, school librarian, school secretary, school psychologist or school counsellor. 

• Community partner: Two community partners are needed. One community partner should work with an organisation that has expertise in mental health promotion. The other community partner should work with a different agency/organisation, not necessarily one with a mental health background.  

Training Requirements

Training is provided to FAST practitioners by certified FAST trainers. All FAST teams receive the same structure of training regardless of the level.  FAST team members are required to undergo a 2 day training before implementing the programme. After the training, FAST team members recruit families into the programme, and implement a FAST cycle (2.5 hour weekly sessions for 8 weeks). A certified FAST trainer visits the site for three of the eight FAST sessions to provide support to the FAST practitioners, and help solve problems that may arise during the sessions. On completion of the FAST cycle, a one day debriefing/ review session is held with the certified FAST trainer and FAST team members. 

FAST team members/ practitioners who receive a formal recommendation from the certified FAST trainer can proceed with training progression to become certified FAST trainers.  This requires attending a 5 day training of trainers’ conference, and a 48 hour internship with a certified FAST trainer supervisor. During the internship, the FAST practitioner will co-facilitate a 2 day comprehensive training, 3 sessional site visits, and a debriefing / review session. This will be supervised by a certified FAST trainer supervisor. Completion of internship and official recommendation from certified FAST trainer supervisor will qualify the FAST practitioner for official FAST certification. Certified FAST trainers must attend a 3 day training of trainers’ conference every three years for re-certification.

FAST recommends the development of sponsored certified FAST trainers. By developing certified FAST trainers, sponsoring organisations can effectively grow and sustain FAST within their communities. 

Supervision Requirements

Training is provided to FAST practitioners by certified FAST trainers. Certified FAST trainer monitors the activities of the FAST team during the FAST cycle, and evaluate the outcomes achieved by the team after the programme. Supervision of FAST practitioners who have been recommended for certification is provided by certified FAST trainer supervisors. Supervisors give guidance to FAST practitioners, and provide professional recommendations for FAST practitioners on completion of their internship. 

Theory of Change 

At the core of the FAST programme is the parent empowerment concept. In this concept, parents are recognised as the key teachers of their children. Hence FAST equips parents with the skills and confidence needed to guide their children, and reduce conflict in their relationship with their children. Other theories that have been important in the development of FAST include family stress theory; family systems theory; and social ecological theory. 

Values

The FAST programme aims to help children thrive by building a supportive network around the children. This is achieved by enhancing parent engagement; promoting stronger, more positive relationships between parents and children; building positive connections between parents and schools; and creating a supportive community that is committed to enhancing children’s well-being and academic performance. 

Priorities

• Is a whole system approach a priority for your organisation?

Existing Initiatives 

• Do you have an existing programme that already targets children and their families?
• Does the existing programme strengthen positive relationships between children and their families, and does it improves children school performance?
• If yes, are there components within the FAST programmes that address needs that are currently unmet by this existing programme?

Workforce

FAST is delivered to each hub by 4-10 trained FAST team members. Each FAST team at the elementary school level is composed of one parent partner, one school partner, and two community partners. FAST team members must be culturally representative of the participating families. FAST team members must attend a 2 day training before they can deliver a FAST cycle. Sponsor certified FAST trainers deliver trainings and re-trainings at sites where the sponsor is implementing FAST. 

• Do you have parents, staff and community partners who are culturally representative of the potential participating families?
• Do you have parents who have the interest and time to undertake the necessary training, and deliver this programme?
• How many FAST teams will your organisation train, bearing in mind the number of hubs (of 8-10 families) that will be trained at each FAST cycle?
• Is your organisation committed to sponsoring a certified FAST trainer? Can you provide the support they need?

Technology Support

Webinar trainings (including FAST new member training, FASTWORKS training and FAST learning extension) require computer and internet access. 

• Do you have the technology (computer, internet access) to allow practitioners get the necessary webinar trainings?

Administrative Support

The FAST programme is an after school programme delivered in the school. FAST team members send out an open invitation to families of children within the desired age groups. FASTWORKS is an integral component of FAST programme and continues for another 2 years after the 8 weeks FAST cycle.

• How do you intend to recruit participants? Do you have available administrative support for an after school programme?
• Can your organisation provide support for the implementation and delivery of the FAST programme?
• Can your organisation continue to provide support needed to deliver FASTWORKS?

Financial Support

Start-up costs include team member training which costs $5045 per team. Initial evaluation is required and this costs $1000. If a sponsoring organisation would like to sponsor a FAST practitioner to become a certified FAST trainer, this will cost $9170. FAST new member webinar training costs $750, and in-person new member training costs $1000. Other implementation costs include FAST evaluation and services package priced at $1125; and re- certification training which costs $1250.

• How many teams would your agency like to train? Do you have the finances for the FAST team training?
• Is your organisation interested in sponsoring the training and accreditation of practitioners in this programme? Can your organisation financially support this?

Comparable Population 

FAST is a universal, early intervention and prevention programme for families of children aged 4-18 years. Significant improvements in child and family outcomes have been reported in families with children aged 5 – 10 years.   

• Have you identified families that may benefit from this programme?

Desired Outcome

In children, programme implementation has been associated with reduced aggressive behaviour, reduced withdrawn behaviours, improved academic performance and improved social skills. In parents, increased parent social capital has been reported.   

• Are these priority outcomes for your organisation?
• Does your organisation have systems in place that address the above desired outcome? If yes, are there unmet needs that the implemented FAST programme will address?