ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the effectiveness of the universal component of the Fast Track prevention model: the Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) curriculum and teacher consultation. The primary goal of the Fast Track model is to integrate the provision of universal and selective services into a comprehensive model that involves the child, school, family, and community. Fast Track was designed to provide two levels of child intervention simultaneously during the elementary school years. Fast Track staff provided behavioral consultation to teachers regarding both the high-risk children and the remaining classroom students. The Fast Track PATHS curriculum in Grade 1 contained 57 lessons, approximately 80% of which were drawn from the published version of the curriculum. In the Fast Track version of PATHS, about 40% of the lessons focus on skills related to understanding and communicating emotions. It should be recognized that the Fast Track universal intervention included intensive intervention with high-risk children as an integral part of the overall universal intervention.
