Family Services for Youth Offenders

AMIkids proposes to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for youth returning to their communities by providing family services through the evidence-based Family Centric Model (FCM) for youth and families in three high-need areas of South Carolina: Spartanburg, Florence, and Georgetown, and two high-need areas in Louisiana (Baton Rouge Metro and Lafayette). The goal of this project is to assist youth involved in the justice system in transitioning back to their communities from an AMIkids program. Services will begin pre-release in the youth’s residential program and continue post-release, with the goal to engage youth, their families, and their community supports in their treatment plan. Services aim to increase protective factors, reduce risk factors, reduce risk of recidivism, and reduce out-of-home placements. FCM significantly increases family functioning in terms of healthy roles, communication, and behavior control, significantly reduces problematic behaviors, and reduces recidivism. Program objectives include: delivering family services, including FCM and comprehensive case management plans which will aid in the youth’s transition back to their community; improving parent/caregiver relationships as measured by Healthy Roles, General Functioning, Communication, and Behavior Control; Imparting social competencies in youth and families relating to mental health including reduction in Oppositional Defiance, Aggressive Behavior, and Rule Breaking behaviors; maintaining youths' in-home placement; and, lowering youths' criminogenic risk.