Guiding Good Choices (GGC) is a family competency training program for parents of children in middle school that gives parents the skills needed to reduce their children’s risk for using alcohol and other drugs. The program contains five-sessions, with an average session length of 2 hours each week. Children are required to attend one session that teaches peer resistance skills. The other four sessions are solely for parents and include instruction on: (a) identification of risk factors for adolescent substance abuse and a strategy to enhance protective family processes; (b) development of effective parenting practices, particularly regarding substance use issues; (c) family conflict management; and (d) use of family meetings as a vehicle for improving family management and positive child involvement.

Specifically, Session 1 creates opportunities for involvement and interaction in the family and rewarding children’s participation in the family. Session 2 establishes clear family rules about substance use, monitoring the behavior of children, and disciplining children. Session 3 teaches children skills needed to resist peer influences to use drugs. Session 4 focuses on reducing and managing anger and family conflict. Session 5 focuses on expressing positive feelings and developing family bonds and involvement.