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Strengthening Hawaii Families (SHF) is a cultural values-based primary prevention program
that was developed by the Coalition For A Drug-Free Hawaii. SHF seeks to reduce and
ultimately prevent such problems as substance abuse, domestic violence, and gang
involvement by reducing risk factors and increasing resiliency factors in the family and
community. The SHF program provides the tools and the process for elementary-school
aged youth (ages 8 to 11) and their families to build on existing family strengths through
values clarification, family skills-building, and nurturing connections among families and their
community.
SHF is implemented as a 14-session series for eight to ten families attending weekly two
hour meetings. Trained facilitators provide families with the opportunity to discover for
themselves what will work best based on their values and vision. Topics include: connecting
with one another; exploring and practicing family values; cultural and generational continuity;
family vision; family resilience; communication; making choices; problem-solving; decision-
making, anger management and stress management; wellness including substance abuse
prevention, and healthy lifestyle choices; and 'ohana (family) time.
SHF has been shown to have a positive impact on the families that participated. The
University of Hawaii Social Welfare Evaluation and Research Unit (SWERU) found
significant improvement in family cohesion, family organization, and family communication;
and a significant decrease in family conflict as well as decrease in parental depression.
Follow-up research done by SMS, Inc. to determine long-term impacts of participation
found that past participants reported better relationships among family members, a clearer
understanding of parental roles, more awareness of children's needs, improved behaviors for
children, and general improvement in communication skills for all family members.
Participants also remarked on the amount of bonding and fellowship that accompanied each
SHF session.
The Strengthening Hawaii Families program is age and developmentally appropriate and provides
a culturally comprehensive framework that allows communities to easily and effectively adapt and implement
the program for diverse populations. Being a values and assets-based program, SHF is appropriate for families
in multicultural group settings, which are inclusive and embracing of all ages, ethnic, cultural, and
socioeconomic backgrounds.
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Implementation Costs:
The SHF program requires a team of four facilitators to deliver the program (two parent
facilitators and two children's group facilitators). Each facilitator is certified by CDFH
through completion of the SHF Training of Facilitators (TOF). This training is a minimum of
two days focusing on SHF philosophy, goals/outcomes, format and curriculum instruction for
parent, children, and family sessions. Periodic follow-up and technical assistance are
provided for facilitation teams who are working to establish or ready to implement SHF at
their site.
SHF program costs include purchasing parent, children, and family workbooks for each
family. These workbooks are ordered through CDFH for a cost depending on number of
copies ordered and shipping/handling fees. The curriculum also contains a bibliography
which lists resources and other books and materials recommended to enhance the SHF
program delivery. Other program costs include food and/or refreshments for each session;
childcare expenses; transportation; supplies such as chart paper; markers, and art supplies;
and incentives (ex. small prizes, "treasure box" items, family photographs, etc.).
Training Costs:
The SHF Training of Facilitators (TOF) is two days with a maximum of 15 and a minimum of
six people per training. (One facilitation team is made up of four facilitators and two
alternates). The cost for a TOF is $349 per person. Included in the training package are
all training materials for facilitators: an SHF program guide; facilitators manual; curriculum for parent
sessions, children sessions, and family sessions; workbooks for parents, children, and family;
and other resources. The package also includes three hours of on-site or
telecommunications follow-up consultation per facilitation team. Additional technical
assistance and consultation is available and is negotiated on an individual basis. Travel costs
for trainers including hotel, airfare, mileage, per diem, and time will be determined upon TOF
request. (TOF for more than ten people requires two trainers.)
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