Evaluations & Peer Reviews
Psychologists, psychiatrists and medical doctors feedback on FWWI trainings and its resiliency model have unanimously supported FWWI as a program founded according to best practices.
Dr. Edward Deaux, Psychologist
FES Independent Evaluator for FWWI from 2004 to 2008
"Comparing the pre-session and post-session Incongruence Scores shows a pre-session mean of 99.51 and a post-session mean of 75.03, which represents a statistically significant change, as shown by a two-tailed, paired-sample Student's t test (t=3.7239, df=71, p=0.00039). Thus the first objective of the Family Wellness Warriors Initiative, to reduce the disparity between participants' real family life and their perceived ideal, is being successfully accomplished."
Dr. Gary Leonardson, Psychologist
FES Independent Evaluator for FWWI from 2008 to Current
"Most of the individual trainings showed a decrease in Incongruency, along with the overall results. If the Incongruency score variations were standardized (made to be normally distributed) the overall results would be statistically significant for both methodologies. Comparing the pre-session and post-session Incongruence Scores shows a pre-session mean of 84.0 and a post-session mean of 71.6; which represents a statistically significant change."
Dr. Denise Dillard, Psychologist
Focus Group Independent Evaluator for FWWI from 2008 to Current
"Many participants were able to see how the abuse itself as well as the behaviors occurring after the abuse or neglect created and perpetuated disharmony in their families and community. They reported a shift in perspective towards themselves as Alaska Native or non-Native people as well as a shift in perspective of some behaviors towards others which were conducive to more harmonious interactions with others.
"Participants seemed to view each other as a large support system. Some contextual benefits of the program appear to be: sense of camaraderie, importance of shared experiences, social support, empathic understanding, sense of community and sense of cultural pride."
Professional Reviews
Dr. Bob Chaney, PhD (Psychologist)
"The Family Wellness Warriors Initiative (FWWI) provides a safe path toward wellness. I have participated in the FWWI both as a participant and as a consulting psychologist with over 20 years of experience. As a participant I felt invited and accepted for who I am. With this acceptance I took the risk to share parts of my story that were still causing me pain. In the process of sharing, I let go of some unwanted baggage and also made some great friends. As a psychologist evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the overall program I have found it to be a cutting edge program built upon the very best of "best practices." I'm grateful to be an active member of the FWWI community. It is a community based upon non-judgment, acceptance, sharing and the healthiest of principles."
Dr. Allan Crandell, MD (Child Psychiatrist)
"I found Beauty for Ashes/FWWI to have been quite a rich and surprising experience, therefore quite hard to capture in mere words. The actual experience itself was intensely vivid, emotional, and far-reaching. In my practice I have found that I listen more closely to Native Alaskans and this has helped me understand the stunning experiences of Native Alaskans."
Dr. Mark Erickson, MD (Psychiatrist)
"For me personally Beauty for Ashes was a remarkable journey into my life story and into Alaska Native cultures and history. I will attend again. Because of BFA I am better able to understand and help those I see with their story and healing. My one piece of advice is to leave your professional hat at the door and engage fully and openly."
Acknowledgments:
In 2010, the Alaska Public Health Association awarded FWWI a Community Service Award for Health, an award that recognizes an organization, business or group typically outside of the public health tradition.
The Mary Byron Project awarded FWWI with the Celebrating Solutions Award in 2010 – one of four recipients nationwide. The award recognizes local innovations that demonstrate promise in breaking the cycle of violence.
Alaska State Governor Sean Parnell honored FWWI with his administration's Shirley Demientieff Award in 2010. The award is given each year at the Alaska Federation of Natives by the governor of Alaska for advocacy on behalf of Alaska Native women and children.
FWWI received The National Indian Health Board Regional / Area Impact Award in 2009 for demonstrating a positive impact on the health of Native families.
FWWI was highlighted on a TV series as a national model for impacting men's health by the National Aboriginal Health Organization in Ottawa, Ontario in 2009.