CLFC & HIV Prevention

The Creating Lasting Family Connections® Fatherhood Program: Family Reintegration is listed in the Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy and was listed on the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (2013-2018). The CLFC Program was further recognized as a featured practice in SAMHSA’s Recovery to Practice Newsletter and was featured in the National Criminal Justice Association’s Justice Bulletin. In 2009, the Creating Lasting Family Connections® Fatherhood Program: Family Reintegration was identified as a Promising Program by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). In addition, COPES was awarded the prestigious 2010 Exemplary Award for successfully working with adult men (and women) reentering the community after incarceration and/or drug treatment. This marked the fourth time in its history that COPES received an Exemplary Award.

The CLFC Fatherhood Program: Family Reintegration includes a thoroughly integrated HIV/Hepatitis preventive intervention component that examines both the primary modes of HIV transmission and effective strategies to reduce or even eliminate risk of infection. The CLFC ABC 3D Approach to HIV, Hepatitis and Other STD Prevention module teaches effective skills for HIV prevention.

The CLFC Fatherhoood Program: Family Reintegration

1. The CLFC Fatherhood Program promotes communication and refusal skills for resisting negative influences, including those related to high-risk or unhealthy sexual practices.
2. The CLFC Fatherhood Program promotes emotional awareness and expression skills so that reentry men and women can process emotions that might have previously negatively impacted their judgment and possibly triggered high-risk behaviors that could jeopardize their health and wellbeing.
3. The CLFC Fatherhood Program promotes relationship and family strengthening skills so that reentry men and women can develop a deep and wide network of positive support.
4. The CLFC Fatherhood Program promotes self-efficacy, and nurtures personal and family trust and openness so that participants are more likely to reach out for help with personal and family issues, including those related to sexual practices.

The CLFC Fatherhood Program Produces Powerful Results

In two separate quasi-experimental research studies with comparison groups conducted by Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) and McGuire & Associates, the CLFC Fatherhood Program achieved the following statistically significant improvements:

• Increased knowledge about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (i.e. HIV, Hepatitis)
• Increased spirituality
• Reduced intentions to binge drink

In four separate studies, the CLFC Fatherhood Program also achieved statistically significant improvements in all 9 of the following targeted measures:

• Communication skills
• Conflict resolution skills
• Intrapersonal skills
• Emotional awareness skills
• Emotional expression skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Relationship management
• Relationship satisfaction
• Relationship commitment

In addition to the quasi-experimental research studies, respondents to the CLFC Fatherhood Program retrospective surveys analyzed by McGuire & Associates showed the following promising results:

• 88% of the participants reported that their personal use of alcohol and/or drugs has gone down since they started the program
• 99% of the respondents report that they are “Much more likely” or “Somewhat more likely” to talk with a trusted adult family member about a personal or family problem, after participating in the program.
• 72% more respondents “strongly agree” that they have the confidence to say “no” when they need to following their involvement in the program.

For over 30 years, CLFC has been recognized for effective substance abuse prevention. As substance abuse is a well-known and major risk factor for contracting HIV/AIDS, the substantial reduction in use of alcohol and/or other drugs by our participants also reduces their risk of infection with HIV/AIDS.

In addition, two recent COPES projects served similar target populations and implemented a similarly adapted version of CLFC. These projects tracked the number of participants who voluntarily received HIV Testing during the HIV/Hepatitis prevention module. Over the entire 5-year life of both projects, an average of 77% accepted an opportunity for HIV testing and were tested. This high average rate of voluntary HIV testing suggested an increased commitment to health and personal wellness, and a dedication to engage in safe sex practices, all critical components of HIV prevention.

The CLFC Fatherhood Program Impacts Multiple Generations with HIV Prevention Messages

During program session discussions and in case management meetings outside of regular sessions, many of our participants expressed a commitment to sharing the HIV/AIDS prevention information gained in the CLFC Fatherhood Program with their children. In this way, the CLFC Fatherhood Program is impacting multiple generations of at-risk families with much needed prevention information.

The innovative HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis prevention module presents a powerful preventive force against a dangerous, fast-spreading disease for adults, singles, couples, parents and entire families.

CLFC Fatherhood Program Participant Testimonials

“COPES has taught me to deal with life struggles. It has taught me to be humble and to better cope with my family’s character defects, as well as my own. COPES is a very encouraging, and life lesson. I’m glad I was a part of this program because it has taught me to live a better way of life.”
— Derrick Stevenson

“I learned a lot about dealing with my children and different ways of handling them. I also learned a lot about drugs and alcohol. This program was helpful in different areas.”
— Johnny Clark

“COPES has opened my eyes to a lot of things in my life, the issues, problems, and situations I deal with on a day to day basis. It has given me the proper tools to deal with these issues and situations. I am truly grateful to have had this experience. COPES has helped me better understand myself, relationships, chemical dependency, and much more. ”
— Byron B.

If you are interested in using the CLFC Fatherhood Program for HIV prevention, call or email COPES at (502) 583-6820 or tstrader@sprynet.com.