What are Evidence-Based Programs?

As we search for more effective ways to positively impact the lives of the kids in our programs, and as funding agencies seek greater effectiveness and accountability in prevention and intervention programs, we are exploring strategies for working with youth and their families that can have a positive impact on important social problems such as delinquency, teen pregnancy, substance abuse and family violence. Many of these effective approaches and strategies have been packaged into programs that target outcomes specific to the population being served. Those programs that have been found to be effective based on the results of rigorous evaluations are often called "evidence-based."

Here are several Evidence-Based Programs with a proven track record that are being used in VisionQuest Programs:

Functional Family Therapy (FFT): see description above; for additional information about FFT, visit the web site at www.fftinc.com

Aggression Replacement Training (ART): Aggression Replacement Training (ART), a multimode intervention designed to alter the behavior of aggressive youth and reduce anti-social behaviors, is part of the curriculum for this program, with additional course opportunities available for youth with extended lengths of stay. The goal of the program is to improve skill competence in the areas of social problem solving, anger management and moral reasoning. Modeling, role play, feedback and generalization training are used to teach pro-social skills.

Cognitive Behavioral Training (CBT): Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a proven, evidenced-based treatment approach that is highly effective for resolving emotional and behavioral problems. CBT focuses on changing habitual reactions and ways of thinking in order to allow an individual to approach situations in new ways that are likely to have desirable results. Staff support youth in utilizing CBT to perceive new cognitive and behavioral options that can transform problematic ideas and actions into more positive ones. A review of the evidence on CBT is located at the following website: http://www.childtrends.org/Lifecourse/programs/CognitiveBehaviorTherapy.htm

Casey Life Skills

  • Assess a young person's strengths in life skills such as money management, work and study habits, self-care, and readiness for seeking a job and housing
  • Identify and set realistic goals for growth
  • Create a customized learning plan
  • Teach life skills with "Ready, Set, Fly" or other available teaching resources.
  • Keep coming back to track progress

You can find more information about Casey Life Skills at www.caseylifeskills.org

For more information on Evidence-Based Programs, you can view the Association for the Advancement of Evidence-Based Practices web site at www.aaebp.org.

For more information on specific programs offered in your state, click on the "Programs by State" tab at the top of the Home Page.