Ricardo La Grange, PhD,

Program Coordinator

Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) is a family and community-based treatment program for youth with complex clinical, social and educational needs (e.g., violence, drug abuse, and school expulsion). Over a period of 3-6 months, master's level professionals with low caseloads deliver MST in homes, neighborhoods, schools, and communities. A crucial aspect of MST is its emphasis on promoting behavior change in the youth's natural environment. Initial family sessions identify the strengths and weaknesses of the adolescent, family, and their transactions with extra- familial systems (e.g., peers, friends, school, etc.). Identified problems throughout the family are targeted for change, and the strengths of each system are used to facilitate such change.

MST Goals:

Prevent out of home placement  for children and youth by providing  home-based, intensive, and time limited services to families

Improve family relations, peer relations, and social competence

Services Provided:

Intensive home-based clinical services

Family focused intervention

Therapist are available 24 hours day and 7 days per week

Eligibility Criteria:

Those eligible for MST services include:

Youth recommended for out-of-home placement due to delinquent or anti-social behavior

Youth in out-of-home placement due to delinquent or anti-social behavior and recommended for accelerated return to the community

In addition youth must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible to participate in MST

Youth must live with his / her family or a long-term foster family

Youth ages 10-17

Youth who have been arrested

Other specific criteria may apply