Evidence-Based Practice Results - Promising Programs

The list of Evidence-Based Programs and Strategies used by the Governor's Office of Gang and Youth Violence Policy was complied by Peter Greenwood, Ph.D.

Programs in the PROMISING category are brand-name programs that have been shown to reduce delinquency and recidivism, substance use, and/or antisocial behavior by using a strong research design, but outcomes have not yet been replicated.

Delinquency & Recidivism	Setting	Target Age Group	Outcomes
Behavioral Modification and Reinforcement Program Prevention implemented in schools redirecting at-risk juveniles from delinquency. Read more	Classroom	Middle School	Less self-reported delinquency, school-based problems and unemployment Fewer county court records than peers

Family Integrated Transitions (FIT) Intervention for the reentry of juveniles with mental illness and substance abuse. Aimed at juvenile offenders (10-17 years old) who have mental health and chemical dependency disorders. Read more	Community Institution	Elementary School High School Middle School	10.2% reduction in recidivism

Guiding Good Choices A prevention prevention that works toward family-focused improvement of parenting skills. Targeted to the parents of youth at-risk for early substance abuse. Read more	Classroom Community	Middle School	7.2% reduction in recidivism

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Prevention program focusing on restructuring the parent-child bond. The program is aimed at children, ages 2-7, with conduct disorders. Read more	Classroom Community	Elementary School	5.1% reduction in recidivism

Raising Healthy Children (RHC) [Formerly known as Seattle Social Development Project.] An intervention administered by parents and teachers using social control and social learning. Read more	Classroom Community In-Home	Elementary School Middle School	15.7% reduction in recidivism

TeamChild An intervention program whereby attorneys advocate on behalf of juveniles for education, treatment and housing. The program is targeted to low-income youth between the ages of 12-18. Read more	Community	Elementary School High School Middle School	9.7% reduction in recidivism

Substance Abuse	Setting	Target Age Group	Outcomes
CASASTART Prevention combining case management services, afterschool and summer activities. Youth who participated in the program pilot were aged 11-13, living in severely distressed neighborhoods. Read more	Classroom Community	Elementary School Middle School	Less likely to report use of any drugs, gateway drugs, or stronger drugs Lower levels of violent crime Less likely to be involved in drug sales

Project Northland An intervention implemented throughout the community to reduce substance abuse. Delivered to sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, eleventh and twelfth grade students. Read more	Classroom	High School Middle School	Decreased tendencies to use alcohol Less alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use

Strong African American Families Program Prevention of substance abuse using a family-based approach in rural African American youth, ages 10-12, and their primary caregivers. Read more	Classroom Community	Elementary School Middle School	Reduced initiation of alcohol use and slowed increase in use over time Developed stronger youth protective factors

Strengthening Families Prevention using a family-based apporach to improve communication and relationships with sixth grade students and their families. Read more	Classroom Community	Middle School	Lower rates of alcohol initiation 30-60% relative reductions in alcohol use and being drunk

Antisocial Behavior	Setting	Target Age Group	Outcomes
Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) An intervention program administered by a therapist to improve family interactions. Children and adolescents, ages 8-17, displaying or at risk for developing behavior problems. Read more	Community In-Home	Elementary School High School Middle School	Significant reductions in Conduct Disorder and Socialized Aggression

Good Behavior Game A prevention program using behavior modification aimed at reducing disruptive behavior in the classroom. Targeted to children in early elementary grades, starting to display aggressive behavior. Read more	Classroom	Elementary School	Less aggressive and shy behaviors Better peer nominations of aggressive behavior Reduction in levels of aggression for males

I CAN PROBLEM SOLVE A school-based prevention program teaching social problem-solving to elementary school students at risk for behavioral dysfunctions and interpersonal maladjustment. Read more	Classroom	Early Childhood Elementary School	Less impulsive and inhibited classroom behavior Better problem-solving skills

FAST Track A prevention program geared toward improving family and peer relationships in the classroom and at home. Targeted to high risk children and teens showing signs of antisocial behavior.	Community In-Home	Elementary School High School Middle School	Better overall ratings by observers on children’s aggressive, disruptive, and oppositional behavior in the classroom.

Linking the Interests of Families and Teachers (LIFT) A school-based prevention program geared toward increasing prosocial behavior. Targeted to first and fifth grade boys and girls and their families, living in at-risk neighborhoods.	Classroom	Elementary School	Decrease in physical aggression on the playground Significant increase in positive social skills and classroom behavior

Evidence-Based Practice Results - Promising Programs

CPGP Links