A Multisite Program Evaluation of Families and Schools Together (FAST): Continued Evidence of a Successful Multifamily Community-Based Prevention Program.

Strong school and family ties have long shown success in influencing posi tive child development and lasting academic success. While a multitude of programs exist to help facilitate the school–family connection, one program in particular, Families and Schools Together, or FAST, stands out as an effec tive prevention program that is suitable for a number of diverse populations. This article adds to the growing body of literature on the effectiveness of FAST. This study of the implementation and evaluation of the Kids FAST and FAST WORKS programs over multiple years in a large metropolitan area of Virginia was conducted using existing data collected from individual program sites over the course of 35 months (Spring 2005 to Winter 2007), analyzed in aggregate using quantitative methods as prescribed in the FAST evaluation protocol. Few FAST program site results are analyzed in aggregate, even though this method is encouraged by the FAST developers. Thus, previous evaluation of individual program sites yielded mixed results. Analyzed in aggregate, families graduating from multiple sites of FAST programs were shown to make significant gains on most measures. These results indicate positive outcomes and can provide insight for program improvements as well as support for continuing to use the FAST program in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools and in similar sites. Limitations of this study and suggestions for future research are discussed.