Youth Exposed to Violence: Prevention, Intervention, & Treatment

LUK Crisis Center, Inc. (LUK) proposes to implement the Personalized Approach To Healing (PATH) program in North Central Massachusetts. PATH includes the full continuum of prevention, intervention, and treatment services for youth under age 18 who have experienced or witnessed violence within their homes (e.g., child abuse, domestic/intimate partner violence). These youth are at high risk of experiencing violence within their dating relationships. PATH intends to interrupt the multigenerational cycle of violence. With the support and guidance of a multidisciplinary planning team, PATH will support these youth and their non-offending caregivers to grow their developmental assets, reduce traumatic stress symptoms, establish a sense of safety, and prevent future violence and risky behaviors. Program activities include implementing prevention curricula, providing intervention and support services for youth at high risk of dating violence, and offering treatment for children and youth who have been exposed to family violence. Evidence-based programs and practices will be used, including Safe Dates, Unity Circle, Breakthrough Parenting, and ARC Grow. The program will reach 240 youth with prevention curricula per year (720 total over the 36-month project period); at least 36 youth with intervention and individual/family treatment per year (108 total); and 32 youth and caregivers each per year with treatment groups (256 total). Youth and families will be involved throughout all program activities, including serving on the PATH Planning Team. All program activities will be informed by Positive Youth Development and Trauma-Informed Care principles.