PSU $5.7 million grant to help families and youth avoid substance abuse, behavio...(more than 12000 youths in the two states...),Health

Researchers have shown positive outcomes from the first phase of the project through a number of studies published in professional journals, documenting improvements in family functioning and lower levels of adolescent substance use where programs have been delivered. Their results also have shown effective community partnership mobilization, successful local recruitment of community families for the program, high-quality delivery of validated prevention programs, and successful community fund-raising to sustain the community programs.

"PROSPER can make a difference in the lives of Pennsylvania youth, families and communities," Greenberg said. "The project helps give families and youth the skills to promote the development of young people into healthy adults."

PROSPER is intended to be a model for a national network of partnerships, Greenberg added. The project also will examine ways to sustain the local programs after grant funding has ended.

"Children and youth are our nation's most valuable resource," said Daney Jackson, Director of Penn State Cooperative Extension. "Unfortunately, a significant number are at risk because of substance use and other social problems. Schools alone can't solve these complex problems. What can make a difference are partnerships involving university Extension staff, schools, families and other concerned local citizens -- like the ones we have established through this program."

Graham Spanier, president of Penn State, said, I consider PROSPER to be a very innovative project that is bringing together research faculty and extension staff to show the true engagement of the university with schools and communities."

The leaders of the PROSPER project in Pennsylvania are Dr. Mark Greenberg, PRC Director; Dr. Mark Feinberg and Dr. Janet Welsh, PRC Research Associates; and Dr. Daniel Perkins and Dr. Claudia Mincemoyer, College of Agricultural Sciences.

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