Families Facing the Future
Families Facing the Future (FFF) (formerly known as Focus on Families) is an intensive program for parents in methadone treatment who have children or young adolescents. FFF teaches parenting and relapse prevention skills to parents and aims to protect their at-risk children from adverse outcomes, including drug use. Case managers work collaboratively with families to identify positive activities, connect them with available services, and identify ways to reinforce use of new skills. Typically, families attend a five-hour group retreat at the beginning of the FFF program. Then, parent(s) attend 90-minute group sessions twice a week for 16 weeks in an outpatient clinic. Children participate in 12 of these sessions. Families also receive approximately two hours of in-home case management per week. This program is delivered by case managers who have a master’s, background in chemical dependency and parenting, and attended a three-day training.
FFF is rated as a supported practice because at least one study carried out in a usual care or practice setting achieved a rating of moderate or high on design and execution and demonstrated a sustained favorable effect of at least 6 months beyond the end of treatment on at least one target outcome.
Date Research Evidence Last Reviewed: Jun 2019
Sources
The program or service description, target population, and program or service delivery and implementation information was informed by the following sources: The California Evidence-based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare, Crime Solutions, the program or service developer’s website, and the studies reviewed.
Program/Service Description Updated: Week of August 24, 2020
This information does not necessarily represent the views of the program or service developers. For more information on how this program or service was reviewed, visit the download the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 1.0
Target Population
FFF aims to serve families with one or more parents receiving methadone treatment who have children or young adolescents.
Dosage
To begin the program, families attend a five-hour group retreat that focuses on family goal setting. Then, parent(s) attend 90-minute group sessions twice a week for 16 weeks for a total of 32 sessions. Children attend 12 of these sessions with their parent(s). Families also receive approximately two hours of in-home case management per week.
Location/Delivery Setting
Recommended Locations/Delivery Settings
FFF includes group sessions that take place in an outpatient clinic. FFF also includes case management that occurs in the family’s homes.
Location/Delivery Settings Observed in the Research
- Home
- Mental Health Center, Treatment Center, Therapist Office
Education, Certifications and Training
Case managers must have a master’s degree as well as training in chemical dependency and parenting. Case managers must attend three days of on-site training.
Program or Service Documentation
Book/Manual/Available documentation used for review
Haggerty, K. P., Mills, E., & Catalano, R. F. (1993). Families Facing the Future: Curriculum. Social Development Research Group, University of Washington.
Available languages
Materials are available in English.
Other supporting materials
Families Facing the Future Workbook
For More Information
Website: http://www.sdrg.org/fffsummary.asp
Phone: (206) 685-1997
Email: sdrg@uw.edu
Note: The details on Dosage; Location; Education, Certifications, and Training; Other Supporting Materials; and For More Information sections above are provided to website users for informational purposes only. This information is not exhaustive and may be subject to change.
| Results of Search and Review | Number of Studies Identified and Reviewed for Families Facing the Future |
|---|---|
| Identified in Search | 1 |
| Eligible for Review | 1 |
| Rated High | 1 |
| Rated Moderate | 0 |
| Rated Low | 0 |
| Reviewed Only for Risk of Harm | 0 |
| Outcome | Effect Size
 and Implied Percentile Effect
|
N of Studies (Findings) | N of Participants | Summary of Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child well-being: Physical development and health |
0.02
0 |
1 (1) | 151 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Child well-being: Substance use |
0.04
1 |
1 (10) | 151 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 10 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Adult well-being: Positive parenting practices |
0.33
12 |
1 (1) | 112 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Adult well-being: Parent/caregiver substance use |
0.13
5 |
1 (18) | 135 |
Favorable:
3 No Effect: 15 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Adult well-being: Family functioning |
0.09
3 |
1 (10) | 135 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 10 Unfavorable: 0 |
Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention group and a negative number favors the comparison group.
| Outcome | Effect Size
and Implied Percentile Effect
|
N of Studies (Findings) | N of Participants | Summary of Findings |
Months after treatment when outcome measured
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child well-being: Physical development and health |
0.02
0 |
1 (1) | 151 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 10001 - Families Facing the Future vs. BAU (Skinner, 2014) | |||||
| Participant had a Sexually Transmitted Infection in Past Year |
0.02
0 |
- | 151 | - | 138 |
| Child well-being: Substance use |
0.04
1 |
1 (10) | 151 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 10 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 10001 - Families Facing the Future vs. BAU (Gainey, 2007) | |||||
| CIDI: Cocaine/Amphetamine Substance Use Disorder: Abuse |
0.25
10 |
- | 151 | - | 138 |
| Study 10001 - Families Facing the Future vs. BAU (Haggerty, 2008) | |||||
| CIDI: Any Substance Use Disorder: Abuse |
-0.06
-2 |
- | 151 | - | 138 |
| CIDI: Any Substance Use Disorder: Dependence |
-0.01
0 |
- | 151 | - | 138 |
| CIDI: Alcohol Substance Use Disorder: Abuse |
-0.03
-1 |
- | 151 | - | 138 |
| CIDI: Alcohol Substance Use Disorder: Dependence |
0.09
3 |
- | 151 | - | 138 |
| CIDI: Marijuana Substance Use Disorder: Abuse |
0.18
7 |
- | 151 | - | 138 |
| CIDI: Marijuana Substance Use Disorder: Dependence |
0.08
3 |
- | 151 | - | 138 |
| CIDI: Opiates Substance Use Disorder: Abuse |
-0.01
0 |
- | 151 | - | 138 |
| CIDI: Opiates Substance Use Disorder: Dependence |
0.11
4 |
- | 151 | - | 138 |
| CIDI: Cocaine/Amphetamine Substance Use Disorder: Dependence |
-0.17
-6 |
- | 151 | - | 138 |
| Adult well-being: Positive parenting practices |
0.33
12 |
1 (1) | 112 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 10001 - Families Facing the Future vs. BAU (Gainey, 2007) | |||||
| Parenting Skills Knowledge Scale |
0.33
12 |
- | 112 | - | 0 |
| Adult well-being: Parent/caregiver substance use |
0.13
5 |
1 (18) | 135 |
Favorable:
3 No Effect: 15 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 10001 - Families Facing the Future vs. BAU (Catalano, 1997) | |||||
| Any Marijuana Use Since Baseline |
0.24
9 |
- | 135 | - | 0 |
| Any Cocaine Use Since Baseline |
-0.09
-3 |
- | 135 | - | 0 |
| Any Opiate Use Since Baseline |
-0.12
-4 |
- | 135 | - | 0 |
| Frequency of Marijuana Use in Past Month |
-0.08
-3 |
- | 135 | - | 0 |
| Frequency of Cocaine Use in Past Month |
-0.06
-2 |
- | 135 | - | 0 |
| Frequency of Opiate Use in Past Month |
0.37
*
14 |
- | 135 | - | 0 |
| Study 10001 - Families Facing the Future vs. BAU (Catalano, 1999) | |||||
| Frequency of Marijuana Use in Past Month |
-0.21
-8 |
- | 135 | - | 2 |
| Frequency of Heroin Use in Past Month |
-0.10
-3 |
- | 135 | - | 2 |
| Frequency of Cocaine Use in Past Month |
0.01
0 |
- | 135 | - | 2 |
| Any Marijuana Use in Past Month |
-0.16
-6 |
- | 135 | - | 2 |
| Any Cocaine Use in Past Month |
0.09
3 |
- | 135 | - | 2 |
| Any Heroin Use in Past Month |
0.10
3 |
- | 135 | - | 2 |
| Frequency of Marijuana Use in Past Month |
0.16
6 |
- | 132 | - | 8 |
| Frequency of Heroin Use in Past Month |
0.47
*
18 |
- | 132 | - | 8 |
| Frequency of Cocaine Use in Past Month |
0.34
13 |
- | 132 | - | 8 |
| Any Marijuana Use in Past Month |
0.40
15 |
- | 132 | - | 8 |
| Any Cocaine Use in Past Month |
0.64
*
23 |
- | 132 | - | 8 |
| Any Heroin Use in Past Month |
0.34
13 |
- | 132 | - | 8 |
| Adult well-being: Family functioning |
0.09
3 |
1 (10) | 135 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 10 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 10001 - Families Facing the Future vs. BAU (Catalano, 1997) | |||||
| Family Meetings Frequency: Family Fun |
0.34
13 |
- | 135 | - | 0 |
| Family Meetings Frequency: Discuss Child Responsibility |
0.29
11 |
- | 135 | - | 0 |
| Moos Family Cohesion Scale: Family Bonding |
-0.04
-1 |
- | 135 | - | 0 |
| Moos Family Cohesion Scale: Family Conflict |
0.03
1 |
- | 135 | - | 0 |
| Study 10001 - Families Facing the Future vs. BAU (Catalano, 1999) | |||||
| Family Meetings Frequency: Total Number of Meetings |
0.32
12 |
- | 135 | - | 2 |
| Moos Family Cohesion Scale: Family Bonding |
-0.10
-4 |
- | 135 | - | 2 |
| Moos Family Cohesion Scale: Family Conflict |
-0.15
-6 |
- | 135 | - | 2 |
| Family Meetings Frequency: Total Number of Meetings |
0.29
11 |
- | 132 | - | 8 |
| Moos Family Cohesion Scale: Family Bonding |
-0.12
-4 |
- | 132 | - | 8 |
| Moos Family Cohesion Scale: Family Conflict |
0.07
2 |
- | 132 | - | 8 |
*p <.05
Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention group and a negative number favors the comparison group. Effect sizes and implied percentile effects were calculated by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse as described in the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Section 5.10.4 and may not align with effect sizes reported in individual publications.
Only publications with eligible contrasts that met design and execution standards are included in the individual study findings table.
Full citations for the studies shown in the table are available in the "Studies Reviewed" section.
The participant characteristics display is an initial version. We encourage those interested in providing feedback to send suggestions to preventionservices@abtglobal.com.
The table below displays locations, the year, and participant demographics for studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution and that reported the information. Participant characteristics for studies with more than one intervention versus comparison group pair that received moderate or high ratings are shown separately in the table. Please note, the information presented here uses terminology directly from the study documents, when available. Studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution that did not include relevant participant demographic information would not be represented in this table.
For more information on how Clearinghouse reviewers record the information in the table, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
| Characteristics of the Participants in the Studies with Moderate or High Ratings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Study Location
|
Study Year
|
Age or Grade-level
|
Race, Ethnicity, Nationality
|
Gender
|
Populations of Interest*
|
Household Socioeconomic Status
|
| Study 10001 - Families Facing the Future vs. BAU | ||||||
| Characteristics of the Children and Youth | ||||||
| Seattle, WA, USA | 1991 | Average age: 10 years; Age range: 3-14 years |
62% European-American 25% African-American 13% Mixed race and other |
54% Male 46% Female |
-- | -- |
| Characteristics of the Adults, Parents, or Caregivers | ||||||
| Seattle, WA, USA | 1991 | Average age: 35 years |
77% White 18% Black 5% Other |
75% Female | -- | 66% Unemployed during 3 months prior to enrolling in methadone treatment |
“--” indicates information not reported in the study.
* The information about disabilities is based on initial coding. For more information on how the Clearinghouse recorded disability information for the initial release, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings. The Clearinghouse is currently seeking consultation from experts, including those with lived experience, and input from the public to enhance and improve the display.
Note: Citations for the documents associated with each 5-digit study number shown in the table can be found in the “Studies Reviewed” section below. Study settings and participant demographics are recorded for all studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution and that reported the information. Studies that did not report any information about setting or participant demographics are not displayed. For more information on how participant characteristics are recorded, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
Studies Rated High
Study 10001Catalano, R. F., Gainey, R. R., Fleming, C. B., Haggerty, K. P., & Johnson, N. O. (1999). An experimental intervention with families of substance abusers: One-year follow-up of the Focus on Families project. Addiction, 94(2), 241-254.
Catalano, R. F., Haggerty, K. P., Gainey, R. R., & Hoppe, M. J. (1997). Reducing parental risk factors for children's substance misuse: Preliminary outcomes with opiate-addicted parents. Substance Use & Misuse, 32(6), 699-721. doi:10.3109/10826089709039371
Gainey, R. R., Haggerty, K. P., Fleming, C. B., & Catalano, R. F. (2007). Teaching parenting skills in a methadone treatment setting. Social Work Research, 31(3), 185-190. doi:10.1093/swr/31.3.185
Haggerty, K. P., Skinner, M., Fleming, C. B., Gainey, R. R., & Catalano, R. F. (2008). Long-term effects of the Focus on Families project on substance use disorders among children of parents in methadone treatment. Addiction, 103(12), 2008-2016. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2008.02360.x
Skinner, M. L., Fleming, C. B., Haggerty, K. P., & Catalano, R. F. (2014). Sex risk behavior among adolescent and young adult children of opiate addicts: Outcomes from the Focus on Families prevention trial and an examination of childhood and concurrent predictors of sex risk behavior. Prevention Science, 15(Suppl 1), S70-S77. doi:10.1007/s11121-012-0327-9
Skinner, M. L., Haggerty, K. P., Fleming, C. B., & Catalano, R. F. (2009). Predicting functional resilience among young-adult children of opiate-dependent parents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 44(3), 283-290. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.07.020
This study was conducted in a usual care or practice setting (Handbook Section 6.2.2)