Guide to Effective Programs
for Children and Youth



Counseling / Therapy


AIDS Education and Counseling in an Office Setting
Program did not show significant differences on reproductive health behaviors.

Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach
Program increased care linkage and retention and longer abstinence from marijuana.

Child Health Supervision
Program improved diet and feeding, development, and problem behaviors.

Children at Risk
Community-wide, multi-component youth development program decreased middle schoolers' chances of repeating a grade.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Specific type of therapy has alleviated depression and anxiety in adolescents and teens.

Cognitive Behavioral Family Intervention (CBFI)
Program reduced maternal depression and child disruptive behavior

Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools
Program reduced symptoms of PTSD, depression, and psychological dysfunction.

Coping With Depression (CWD-A)
Program increased self-esteem and reduced depression.

Families and Schools Together (American Indian adaptation)
Program reduced aggressive and withdrawn behavior in children.

Family Planning Clinic Support Services
Program did not impact contraceptive use or pregnancy rates.

Functional Family Therapy
Program helped treat existing behavioral problems and was associated with decreased recidivism and re-institutionalization.

Hospital and Home Support Interventions During Infancy
Program had no impact on maternal attachment, healthcare utilization, or child abuse and neglect.

Incredible Years Series
Intervention program for those at-risk for behavior problems.  Program enhanced parenting skills and improved children's academic and social competence.

Metropolitan Area Child Study (MACS)
Program reduced aggression in urban-poor neighborhoods with higher levels of school and community resources.

Montreal Prevention Experiment
Program increased boys' performance on measures of school adjustment and delinquency.

Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT)
Program reduced rates of drug use, increased academic performance, and improved family functioning.

Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC)
Program reduced rates of incarceration, arrests, and drug use among youth.

New Beginnings
Program reduced the development of mental disorders and disorders in general.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
Program was effective in reducing repeat cases of physical abuse and reduced parental depression and negative parenting behaviors.

Parent-Mediated Treatment Program
Program increased child compliance and positive parenting behavior.

PARTNERS Project
Program had no significant impact on increasing effective and consistent contraceptive use.

Penn Prevention Program (PPP)
Addition of community component reduced the typical increase of tobacco use in teens.

Project TALC
Program reduced adolescents' emotional distress and conduct problems and raised levels of self-esteem.

Signs of Suicide Prevention Program
Program was effective in increasing knowledge about suicide and depression and decreasing suicidal ideations and attempts.

Social Relations Interventions
Program promoted positive social skills and behavioral strategies with aggressive children.

Social Skills Training Program for Pre-Adolescent Girls with Few Friends
Program increased participants' time interacting in conversation and with others and decreased time spent alone.

South Oxnard Challenge Program (SOCP)
Program was effective in increasing the amount of contact with staff, the amount of time that was spent on a child's case, and the child's use of referral services.

Spit Tobacco Intervention for High School Athletes
Program successfully promoted spit tobacco cessation among current users.

STOP Technique and Insight Program for Depression
Program was effective in reducing depressive symptoms, negative thinking, and chronic stressors among mothers with children ages 2-6 years.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Program reduced the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder.

Untitled Health Care Program for First-Time Adolescent Mothers and their Infants
Program participants had a decreased likelihood of a repeat pregnancy and increased likelihood of immunization for infants.

Untitled School Based Suicide-Prevention Program
Program increased feelings of personal control.

Washington State Client-Centered Pregnancy Prevention Programs
Program decreased likelihood of teens having and intending to have intercourse.