Following an elementary school or middle school teacher's recommendation, the family of an at-risk child is invited to participate in the program by a FAST parent graduate who conducts home outreach visits. Some schools offer FAST to all children who are enrolled. These schools encourage families to attend a cluster meeting with other families from that school. Ten to fifteen families meet for 8 to 10 weekly sessions that include a family meal, singing, and other highly interactive family activities that are enjoyable for both children and parents. Session begins with FAST hello and FAST song.
Teams support parental authority by putting parents in charge of activities at their family tables.
Families eat meals at their family tables. Parents gather for discussion, and children gather for age-appropriate activities to build connections to each other. The FAST team coaches parents to provide play therapy for elementary school children. In the middle school curriculum, the FAST team coaches parents to discuss topics with their youth, selected by the youth group. The rest of each meeting is planned by the families with support from a collaborative team that includes parents who have graduated from the FAST program.