Promising Prevention Programs and Approaches by Urban Institute researchers Marvin Eisen, Christina Pallitto, Carolyn Bradner, and Natalya Bolshun reviews the most recent information on successful prevention programs and their implementation. The guidebook describes fifty-one programs whose initial effectiveness has been demonstrated through scientific evaluation. The authors examine a subset of twenty-one programs that were more rigorously evaluated than the other programs and identify core elements of their success. With a panel of prevention scientists and school-based practitioners, the authors also identify key factors for schools and other community organizations to consider when deciding whether to adapt successful prevention programming elements as part of their own initiatives.
Successful programs share six core elements.
They attempt to modify teens' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior so that the perceived rewards of engaging in a healthy behavior outweigh the perceived costs. The programs also target specific behavior goals with a clearly delineated plan. The programs include a written curriculum and instructor training and feedback. Successful programs often last weeks or months and involve multiple sessions. And finally, they use a variety of techniques and instruction methods, including, for example, combinations of formal instructors, parents, and peers.