FAST (Families and Schools Together)
Name | FAST (Families and Schools Together) |
Target Audience | Early childhood (0-5 years) Middle childhood (6-12 years) Teen (13-17) Parents At-risk or vulnerable |
CfC Objective | Supporting Families and Parents Create Strong Child-Friendly Communities School Transition and Engagement |
Organisation | FAST Australia Alliance |
Delivery Setting | School-based; home-based; community based |
Description | Early intervention and prevention program that helps children succeed by empowering parents, connecting families, improving the school climate and strengthening community engagement.
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Delivered to | Children aged 0-17 and their parents/primary caregivers |
Delivered by | At the local level, FAST is run by trained 4-8 person FAST Teams comprised of parents, teachers and school representatives, and community-based professionals. Each FAST Team is representative of the population served, that is, consistent with the gender, ethnicity and culture of the participating families.
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Program Structure | Initially a consultative process in conducted together with FAST trainers and key stakeholders. There are three phases in FAST:
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Training | The accredited trainer oversees an action reflection model of program delivery. Learn: FAST begins with learning. Prior to the first FAST Cycle, a Certified FAST Trainer conducts a comprehensive two-day program orientation to prepare FAST Team Members to run the program accurately and efficiently. Plan: Occurs on site in the local community. Do: Always occurs on site, with Certified FAST Trainer offering on-going weekly monitoring and support to ensure program integrity and consistent implementation. Review: Occurs throughout the FAST process. Post program online and face to face evaluations are conducted with the team and families. |
Cost | The cost varies according to mode of delivery, the location (urban, regional or remote) and a range of local factors. Contact FAST Australia to get an indication of costs: admin@fastnt.org.au |
Contact | Phone: Darran Plumb (08) 89203510 – Capacity Plus NT, Darwin Website: fastnt.org.au/ |
Evaluation and effectiveness | Multiple studies including RCTS document positive behavioural outcomes at post-test, with at least one study indicating positive behavioural impacts at follow-up at least one year after the intervention ended. |