Name of program: Family Leadership Institute (FLI)

What is the program’s goal? The goal of the FLI is to reduce under age drinking by youth

9 - 19 years old. This is accomplished by educating parents and others concerned adults on effective bonding; reducing availability and accessibility of alcohol to youth; increased access for families to alcohol-safe public celebrations and social events; and expand capacity of primary prevention activities.

When was the program established at EOC? January 2006. FLI replaced the Regional Substance Abuse Prevention Program, which had been in place at EOC since 1995.

Who do you help (client base)? Parents, youth, and concerned citizens within targeted communities in Fresno County (i.e. Fresno City, Laton, Firebaugh, Orange Cove, etc.). These communities change annually and are identified in the program Logic Model.

What are the eligibility requirements? None.

How many clients do you serve monthly/annually? Varies; the program served 126 families in 2006-2007.

Who is the current program manager? Jamie Gearon

How many employees work for this program? 5

Where is your office / are your offices located? 1900 Mariposa Mall, Suite 208

Tell us about one of your “success stories” FLI participants in the city of Laton took action after discovering that a local liquor store was selling alcohol to minors. After expressing their concerns to Sheriff Margaret Mims and investigators with the sheriff department’s Drug Task Force, the participants agreed to assist law enforcement officials in launching an investigation into the matter. They also notified Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC).

Anything else you’d like to tell us about your program? The program trains parents and other concerned adults to implement family-centered prevention strategies; and recruit and train youth, families and other concerned adults to address underage drinking throughout Fresno County. The program facilitates a five session workshop utilizing the “Families that Care” curriculum which is a multimedia drug prevention program that provides parents of youth the knowledge and skills needed to “guide” their children through early adolescence. It seeks to strengthen and clarify family expectations for behavior, enhance the conditions that promote bonding in the family, and teaches skills to parents to address issues within their families. Individuals completing the workshop are organized into a “Parent Support Network” and meet monthly to continue to educate themselves on family and community issues related to underage drinking. Additionally, the program establishes in each community a “Youth Adult Partnership” (YAP) which examines the issues of underage drinking specific to their community and develops a plan to bring about change in that area of need.

Additionally, the program has worked with other communities that are not in the current scope of work as a way to network with all of Fresno County, those communities include, Parlier, Huron, Cantua Creek, and Riverdale.