The FFT-G Intervention and Implementation Fidelity

• In Event: Functional Family Therapy for Gang Populations (FFT-G): A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

FFT is a brief and widely disseminated evidence-based treatment for youth presenting with problem behaviors including delinquency and drug and alcohol abuse. Based on data on risk factors for gang membership and gang processes, FFT, Inc. modified the FFT manual and training materials to directly address issues that are likely to be more salient in a gang population than in a general delinquent population. This modified version of FFT (FFT-G) is the focus of the current study.

Implementation fidelity is measured in the study of FFT-G using self-reports of services received as well as therapist-generated checklists and case notes. Also, most of the treatment provided as part of the study is paid for through Medicaid funds managed by a Philadelphia managed care agency. Records from that agency, including date of service and type of service, are also available for all treatment and control subjects.

This presentation describes the FFT-G intervention and the data sources used to measure the quality of implementation of the treatment and control conditions and presents results regarding the number and percentage of study participants who completed treatment, their treatment dosage, adherence to the FFT-G model, and the quality of treatment delivery.

Author

• Molly Slothhower, University of Maryland