Sherry took the Strengthening Families Programme with her children Marcus and Stephanie, and was inspired to become a trainer herself.

We have over 25 years research on the factors that promote and prevent youth problem behaviour to help us know how to intervene effectively in the lives of young people before they engage in behaviour that is likely to have serious long- term consequences for them and for our society. For most children, research has shown that the most vulnerable periods are transitions. When youth advance from primary school to secondary school, they often face social challenges, such as learning to get along with a wider group of peers. It is at this stage, early adolescence, that children are likely to encounter alcohol and drug use for the first time. The main study results showed that young people who participated in the programme are significantly less likely to have problems 50403020100% BaselineYear 1Year 2Year 4Follow- upEver been drunkSFP10- 14Controls with alcohol and substance use, truancy, peer resistance, conduct problems, up to four years after the intervention ( please see the chart below). Scientific evidence for SFP 10- 14 More specifically, a recent longitudinal randomized study found that the intervention increased parenting competencies and reduced students' substance related risks and was indirectly and positively associated with changes in academic performance with positive effects on school engagement and attainment. Spoth, R. et al ( 2008) Increasing School Success Through Partnership- Based Family Competency Training: Experimental Study of Long- Term Outcomes. School Psychology Quarterly Vol. 23. No. 1, 70- 89