The FFT Organization
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. James Alexander and Dr. 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.
For four decades, on-going investigation into FFT by Dr. Alexander, his colleagues and a number of 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 Work: FFT Inc. trains, consults and provides quality assurance for over 220 local, state, national and international organizations to implement FFT. Its current global footprint includes training commitments in 44 US states, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, New Zealand and Great Britain. FFT Inc replication projects are scheduled to begin in New Zealand and Belgium in fall 2009.
In its work, the company partners to support over 1100 therapists, who serve over 12,000 families across the globe. It also trains juvenile probation and parole officers in a family based case management system (Functional Family Probation-Parole Services) for sites 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.
In July 2009, FFT Inc. and the NY Foundling in NYC implemented a design of FFT to provide therapy / case management practice for families with children 0-18 who are being served in the NYC child welfare system. The NY Foundling is also the host agency for the “Bluesky” project in NYC, a Casey Foundation funded project to create an FFT-MST-MTFC system of evidence-based care for juvenile offenders.
Infrastructure and Personnel: FFT Inc. employs 20+ staff to train and consult with FFT training sites, provide FFT quality assurance and coordinate numerous research initiatives. Its clinical director is the FFT progenitor, Dr. James F. Alexander, and its CEO is Douglas 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 (beginning in 2010). The company developed, operates and maintains a web-based FFT assessment system for training sites, which was recently and significantly upgraded to allow more systematic 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.
Designations: FFT has been identified by numerous independent groups as one of a handful of effective programs for at risk and deli nquent 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.
