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Families and Schools Together (F.A.S.T.)
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Families
And Schools Together (FAST) is a well-researched, theory-based program for
children and their families.
It is designed to build protective factors for children and empower
parents to be the primary prevention agents for their children.
To date, FAST has been implemented in over 700 communities around the
world. FAST
has reached children aged 3 weeks to 15 years in rural, suburban, and
urban communities. |
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FAST
applies family stress theory, family systems theory, social ecological
theory of child development, and adult education and community development
theory to achieve its four goals:
Enhance family functioning
Prevent the target child from
experiencing school failure
Prevent substance abuse by the child and
other family members
Reduce
the stress that parents and children experience from daily life situations |
See
the FAST web site for a complete list of national awards and honors. |
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An
Exemplary, Model Program
FAST
is a model program on the short lists of several federal agencies.
FAST was one of five programs selected and featured at the 1999 White
House Conference on the Prevention of School Violence, and the only family
approach.
It is a model program listed by the Centers for Substance Abuse
Prevention and one of twenty-five model school reform tools.
The Coalition of Juvenile Justice features FAST as an exemplary
violence prevention program.
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www.wcer.wisc.edu/fast
www.fastnational.org
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FASTWORKS are on-going monthly meetings that take place after
families graduate from the 8 week FAST program and continue on for up to two
years or more. All FAST models include
FASTWORKS as an integral component. FASTWORKS
is parent-led: parents plan where they get together for an activity at the
school or in the community. Sometimes
non-FAST families are invited to participate in activities and other times
the FASTWORKS group organizes an event for their whole neighborhood or
community. The goal of FASTWORKS is to empower parents to strengthen their
families, to be their child’s advocate, and to become leaders in their
community and school. By continuing to
be involved in FAST, parents build bonds with each other, the school and the
community. Families build a network
of social support that can stay with them the rest of their lives.
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Governor’s
Discretionary Funds available under the federal Safe and
Drug-Free
Schools
and Communities Act – Title IV of 1994. |
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FASTWORKS
Values...
Relationships matter. All parents are doing the best they can with what
they have to raise successful children. Positive communication is the key
to our effectiveness. We believe in working together as a team. FASTWORKS
is a partnership that nurtures on- going relationships between families,
schools and communities to create world class citizens. |
FASTWORKS
Mission
...
Unite families and schools for the purpose of
attaining successful student achievement. Empower parents, teachers,
children and families. Enhance a sense of community. Provide
a network of knowledge, skills and understanding. |
SUPERVISOR:
Linda Tallman
ltallman@fsca-jackson.org
TEAM LEADER:
Tana Moore
tmoore@fsca-jackson.org
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FAST uses a collaborative multi-disciplinary team to implement services
and is voluntary, with no financial cost to participants.
While FAST is universal (appropriate for ANY family), FAST targets
families that are low-income.
FAST is a program that can successfully address problems of safety
and violence in schools.
The program is operating in several
Jackson
County
elementary schools and is funded by the Governor’s Office of Drug
Control Policy and the City of
Jackson Community Development Block Grant Program
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You
sort of start thinking anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.
(J.K.
Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the
Phoenix
) |
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ACTIVITIES |
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Family
meal
FAST song
Scribbles
Feelings Charades
Kids’ time
Parents’ group
Special Play
Lottery Basket
Announcements
Rain
Holiday parties
Popcorn & movie night |
Park play date &
BBQ
Potlucks & picnics
Swimming
Guest speakers
Plant neighborhood flowers
Arts & crafts projects
Back-to-School “store”
Scavenger hunt
Family game night
School meetings & events
Family flag |
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