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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the purpose of Fast Track?

Fast Track has several purposes. The first purpose of Fast Track is to learn what children need in order to succeed in school. We know some children do well in school, but other children have problems in learning and behavior. The hope is to keep track of children for many years in order to learn what to do to help children. The second purpose is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fast Track preventive intervention program to help children develop social skills and academic competencies in order to succeed in school and life.

2. Can Fast Track help my child?

We regret that the Fast Track Program is not a general mental health or substance use service program. We are not able to refer families or to consult about specific children. We suggest that you contact your local mental health center.

3. How can parents help their child?

Parents are the best experts about their children. They can help us learn what is important for children by telling us about their family and child.

4. Can I use instruments created by Fast Track in my research study?

Yes. The Conduct Problems Preventions Research Group (CPPRG) or Fast Track created some of the instruments, which are available for downloading on our web site. You will be granted permission to use the instruments that were developed by CPPRG; however, please do not photocopy and distribute them. Instead, create your own questionnaire from the measure and cite the source as the “Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group.” For more information, please contact Jennifer Godwin at the Fast Track Data Center: jgodwin@duke.edu

5. Can I use instruments created by another test developer in my research study?

No. If an instrument was created by another test developer, we are not allowed to distribute or give permission to use their instruments. We were only allowed to use such instruments in our research. In order to use the instruments developed by a source other than Fast Track, you must contact that source or publisher. If such contact information is available, it will be on the instrument details page under “Additional Information.”

6. What does the term CPPRG mean?

CPPRG is the Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group whose members are, in alphabetical order: Karen L. Bierman, Pennsylvania State University; John D. Coie, Duke University; Daniel Max Crowley, Pennsylvania State University; Kenneth A. Dodge, Duke University; Mark T. Greenberg, Pennsylvania State University; John E. Lochman, University of Alabama; Robert J. McMahon, Simon Fraser University; and Ellen E. Pinderhughes, Tufts University.

7. How do I find the psychometric properties of an instrument?

The psychometric properties of the Fast Track instruments are available in the technical reports which can be found by selecting the specific instrument on the Data Instrument page.

8. Who participated in Fast Track?

This was a joint effort of educators at four universities nationwide, Duke UniversityPennsylvania State University, the University of Washington, and Vanderbilt University, along with teachers, principals, and administrators in selected public school systems across the country.

9. Who funded this study?

The Fast Track project has been supported by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Grants R18 MH48043, R18 MH50951, R18 MH50952, R18 MH50953, R01 MH062988, R01 MH117559, K05 MH00797, and K05 MH01027; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Grants R01 DA016903, R01 DA036523, R01 DA11301, K05 DA15226, RC1 DA028248, and P30 DA023026; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Grant R01 HD093651; and Department of Education Grant S184U30002. The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention also provided support through a memorandum of agreement with the NIMH. Additional support for this study was provided by a B. C. Children’s Hospital Research Institute Investigator Grant Award and a Canada Foundation for Innovation award (to Robert J. McMahon).

10. Is Fast Track available in other counties?

Fast Track is a program that has been disseminated in several countries. It can be implemented with support from one of the program developers.

11. How can I get a copy of a publication?

A list of the publications can be found on the Publications Page on this website. Some of these publications are available on the internet and others must be obtained from the journal or publisher directly.

12. How do I withdraw from the study?

You may choose not to be in the Fast Track study; or, if you agree to be in the study, you may withdraw from the study at any time. If you withdraw from the study, no new data about you will be collected for study purposes. You may withdraw your authorization for us to use your data that have already been collected (other than data needed to keep track of your withdrawal), but you must do this in writing.

If you do decide to withdraw, we ask that you contact Dr. Kenneth Dodge, the Principal Investigator of the Fast Track Study, in writing and let him know that you are withdrawing from the study. His mailing address is Center for Child and Family Policy, Duke University, Duke Box 90545, Durham, NC, 27708. At that time, we will ask your permission to continue using all information about you that has already been collected as part of the study prior to your withdrawal.