Scaling up Strengthening Families Programme (SFP 10-14) in Kazakhstan
19-22 September, Astana
Family skills training programmes have proven to be highly effective in preventing substance abuse, delinquency and risky sexual behaviour. To support professionals in delivering scientific evidence-based practices in drug prevention, UNODC selected the Strengthening Families Programme 10-14 (SFP 10-14) for its suitability, adaptability to different country contexts, as well as for the long, rigorous research evidence that the programme is based on. SFP 10-14 is a parent, youth and family skill-building curriculum designed to prevent substance abuse and other behaviour problems in adolescents, to strengthen parenting skills and to build family strengths.
SFP 10-14 has been piloted in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan, since 2016. 90 families have been benefitted from its implementation. 36 facilitators and 6 national trainers were trained in 2016-2017 within the framework of Sub-Programme 3 of the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries. The data from both parent and youth surveys in Pavlodar have shown positive results. The results of parent survey indicate increased appropriate parental discipline, parental monitoring and parental support. The results of the youth survey show evidence of increased resilience in the adolescents who took part in the programme. Factors that promote resilience among adolescents include having caring relationships with adults, an easy-going disposition, cognitive skills, confidence, and strong internal values.
Upon request and support of "Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools" Autonomous Educational Organization (NIS), a national level SFP training was conducted on 19-22 September 2018 in Astana, Kazakhstan, with a view to scale up SFP 10-14 in Kazakhstan. 46 school teachers and psychologists from 14 provinces of Kazakhstan, Almaty and Astana cities were trained by SFP international consultants. During the training days the school teachers used videos, role play, discussions, learning games and family projects to deliver 7-week sessions for parents, children and families.
NIS was launched in 2008 in Kazakhstan. It has become an experimental platform for the development, monitoring, research, analysis, approbation, introduction and implementation of modern models of educational programmes. The trained teachers / psychologists will be performing as national SFP facilitators in all NIS schools in Kazakhstan. About 180 families will benefit from SFP 10-14 during 7-week sessions in October-December 2018.