Profiel FFT Inc.

Overview:  FFT Inc was formed in 1998 for the purpose of leading the systematic replication of Functional Family Therapy (FFT) and assisting and collaborating in the on-going scientific inquiry into the model. The FFT intervention is an evidence-based, culturally sensitive family therapy model for at risk and delinquent youth. It was created by Dr. Jim Alexander and Bruce Parsons in the late 1960s. Its first randomized clinical trial was completed in 1971 and demonstrated significant reductions of youth recidivism and sibling entry into youth service systems, as well as increases in family functioning. For four decades on-going investigation into FFT by Dr. Alexander, colleagues and a number independent researchers has included core process and change mechanism research, as well as family functioning, recidivism and out placement outcome research. FFT has been able to achieve 25-60 per cent recidivism reductions in these numerous randomized trials and effectiveness studies. Cost-benefit data from the Washington State Institute for Public Policy identifies a 10 to 1 return on investment for implementation of FFT as a result of cost savings from felony recidivism reductions.

Scope of Business: FFT Inc trains, consults and provides quality assurance collaboration with over 270 local, state and national and international organizations to implement FFT. Its current global footprint includes training commitments in 44 US states, Norway, the Netherlands, and Great Britain. FFT Inc replication projects are scheduled to begin in Belgium, Australia and New Zealand in 2009.  

In its work, the company partners to support over 1100 therapists, who serve over 12,000 families per year across the globe. It also trains juvenile probation and parole officers in a family based case management system currently being implemented in Los Angeles, Utah, Washington State, and Amsterdam, Netherlands. FFT Inc. is part of a number of on-going research efforts, including a randomized clinical trial of FFT in England, under the leadership of Dr. Stephen Scott of London.

FFT has strategic partnerships with numerous key figures in FFT research and evidence based advocacy including: 

• Dr. Holly Waldron at the Oregon Research Institute (conducting ongoing federally funded trials in FFT with drug addicted youth),
• The California Institute for Mental Health (leading cultural adaptation research in FFT in association with the University of California, Berkeley, as well as implementation investigation with 30 FFT Inc California sites),
• Dr. Kjell Hannson of Sweden (a leading FFT dissemination researcher, and the head of the now two decade old replication of FFT in Sweden),
• The Blueprints for Violence Prevention, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the New York State Office of Children and Families, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, the Washington state Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, and many others.
  

Infrastructure and Personnel: FFT Inc employs 35+ staff to train and consult with FFT training sites, provide FFT quality assurance and coordinate numerous research initiatives. Its clinical director is the creator of FFT, Dr. James F. Alexander, and its Chief Executive is Doug Kopp, who is the former juvenile justice administrator for Washington state’s internationally recognized evidence based initiative.  

To support training, FFT operates externship training hubs in Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. The company developed, operates and maintains a web-based FFT assessment system for training sites. In 2009 it will unveil a state of the art expansion of this system that allows easy aggregation of FFT site data across one or more FFT sites.   

FFT Inc has developed therapist and supervisor training manuals, specific assessments, as well as extensive video and presentation training materials and protocols. In 2008, in collaboration with the American Psychological Association (APA), Dr. Alexander began to author and supervise the creation of a five book series on Functional Family Therapy.  It will serve as a basis for FFT Inc.’s next generation of FFT training and implementation.

Designations:  FFT has been identified by numerous independent groups as one of a handful of effective programs for at risk and delinquent youth. Groups include:  The Blueprints for Violence Prevention; the US Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the US Surgeon General; the American Youth Policy Forum; the Washington State Institute for Public Policy.