Frequently Asked Questions |
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We get a lot of questions about our acclaimed programs and about our organization. We'd love to hear from you and to have a chance to give you a better picture of our capabilities. In the mean time, please feel free to use this section to browse some common questions and answers. Don't forget to give us a call at 888-629-2481.
- The FAST program can go a long way to involving parents in school relationship activities and school volunteerism. It takes parents who might be adverse to administration goals and gets them connected to the school mission.
- FST programs reduce delinquency and contributes directly to personal academic achievement.
- FAST programs make the job of administrators and guidance counselors much easier. In Middle and High School, SRO's tell us it helps them connect to hard to reach families as well.
- Teachers tell us FAST allows them to focus on teaching while leaving the job of protecting kids form risky choices to a trusted after-school program.
- FST has the resources and experience to provide control and guidance so the program is transparent but highly outcome oriented. We act like a "silent partner" to help schools function better.
- FAST creates parental involvement momentum and creates a special collaboration of local support resources to serve families that need more attention.
We believe that most parents love their children, and want what's best for them. But many families are disempowered either by their own need for better parenting skills or their personal circumstances. Kids who don't get the right kinds of focus and attention often stray. We want our programs to help parents keep their kids safe, in school, and making good choices.
Often the problems kids face at school and in life are a result of what is missing from their lives. We found that kids who succeed possess assets and resiliency factors that help them succeed despite the obstacles that appear within their environment. We help restore these assets in kids and restore family cohesiveness. Because both parents and children adore FAST, it has become the nation's number one parent involvement program.
- We are governed by a board of directors who serve to preserve our mission and sustainability. Our founder, Dr. Lynn McDonald serves as Board President.
- We have a CEO who manages the organization according to our strategic plan.
- We have a marketing staff that is responsible for program distribution and dissemination.
- We have a training director who manages the national and international training organization.
- Our evaluation services department provides survey delivery, recovery, and statistical metrics for our client's service cycles.
- We have a research department that is run by Dr. Lynn McDonald, who works with our staff, clients and research partners to enrich, improve, and expand our models.
- Our delivery method for the FAST programs is based on a collaboration of local area professionals including school partners, mental health and AODA providers, law enforcement agencies, and parents.
- We work with many professionals and proud staff members who work hard at every aspect of making our programs and services work for you.
Families and Schools Together® receives funding from the services it offers to agencies that contract with us to deliver our programs locally. We are a fee-paid, non-profit business, like a hospital. We also accept corporate and private donations to help keep our programs strong and widely available. We are not funded by a government agency, and we are independent of any political interests.
Our programs are used in public and private schools as well as in community facilities around the country in internationally. As of 2007, we have served over 2,000 school sites and we reach over 10,000 students and families per year. Every year, our programs are conducted in nearly every state, in American Indian nations, and internationally in seven countries. We are growing and would love to serve your community as well.
See also, FAQ: How do I get a FAST program going in my school or community?
The renowned WCER is a long term research partner of ours. WCER has conducted randomized control trials of our FAST models and has at times provided media resources for our programs. We strive to continuously improve and enrich the programs we sponsor, and WCER has been an indispensable ally in achieving our mission of widespread dissemination of the highest caliber programs. Please visit their website at: www.wcer.wisc.edu/
But FAST is capable of doing more. Many of our communities use FAST to help build social capital and connect local service providers to schools. The programs also help create a common sense of community between parents and community leaders. In many areas of the US for example, families come and go. People need a way to connect and support each other. FAST helps rebuild a sense of community and connectedness.
For more information on how FAST can be used as a community assimilation program, please contact us. We have many good examples of improved community relationships built with help from FAST.
The fist thing you need to do is share this web site with others and understand how FAST can make a difference in your lives. Second and vitally important is you need to find a local champion. Who is that? It is a person who can effectively communicate your needs to school administrators, community leaders, and service providers in law enforcement and mental health. The champion will do a lot of coalition-building and evangelizing. Later, when the program begins, this person can be come less involved or can take on a team leadership role.
An informal team should be formed and support from each organization should be obtained to pilot the program. Programs can start in the Fall, Spring, Summer, or whenever is convenient for you. Startup funds can be obtained locally from public and private sources, and can be spread across various agencies. Funds can also be obtained through various state and federal grants.
We will help you every step of the way, but we need you to take the lead. Help is right around the corner for your community's students and children. We have the tools and experience to get the job done, but the effort must be underwritten and driven locally.
Please call us for a literature kit explaining how to get started today. We can be reached at 888-629-2481.
The mission of our organization is to create partnerships with schools and communities to help kids succeed academically and in life. We use our program to safeguard children and help schools create an environment in which kids can learn and want to participate in learning. Our programs match the development and scholastic stages of child development. Even our Early Childhood programs focus on school readiness by helping family functioning and improving the emotional and behavioral well being of the child.
There are occasions when schools cannot provide specific campus resources. In those cases, community facilities are often used, and our families often come from different schools and even districts. In our FAST school-age programs, we do however require the assistance of teachers and administrators to help us evaluate the progress of FAST family students.
However, regardless of where or when our programs are conducted, the outcomes are always visible in school. That's why so many teachers and principles love the work we do. it makes the school climate more conducive to learning and helps schools focus on teaching.
FST wants to be flexible and supportive of local resources and needs. We can help configure our program to meet localized requirements and still assure program effectiveness.
Please also see our Baby FAST program, which is designed to be a community based program.
All of the programs we distribute are natively developed university-research models. They are based on well founded cognitive science and social psychology. Every component in our programs is researched and based on purposive, published works by social therapists, and behavioral specialists. Our programs have been tested clinically and refined in the marketplace of schools and service facilities around the world. In addition, there have been a number of RCT’s demonstrating positive outcomes, all published in peer-reviewed journals. We have had a longstanding relationship with Harvard University and the prestigious University of Wisconsin Center for Educational Research (WCER). When it comes to research and evidence, we have been meticulous in providing only carefully researched programs to our clients.
See also, FAQ 14: Are FAST programs evaluated?
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