Youth Services Institute (YSI)

To prevent continued child sexual abuse and increase community safety, the Youth Services Institute (YSI) has been providing quality community-based treatment services to youth with sexual behavior problems, partnering with local and state agencies for over 20 years. YSI is partnering with four counties in Alabama: Baldwin, Clarke, Choctaw, and Washington, to provide direct problematic sexual behavior (PSB) services via teletherapy while working alongside partners developing PSB services at all levels of the continuum. Providing direct services is a necessary precursor to improving local capacity. Clinicians in YSI’s Continuum of Care Program are trained in Problematic Sexual Behavior-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and school-age and adolescent adaptations, allowing them to begin providing services immediately. The safety of the impacted child will be monitored by the County Department of Human Resources and/or clinicians involved in their care. Caregivers of youth with PSB are required to participate in treatment. They anticipate serving at least 50 youth while providing intensive training to professionals in the community. At least one caregiver must be involved in the assessment and treatment process for each youth.

YSI has an established model for expanding services and increasing local capacity for PSB services. This model includes YSI’s membership as part of the existing multidisciplinary child abuse review teams coordinated by the child advocacy center serving each area. However, local resources are only effective if they are accessible and meet the needs of Alabama families. Therefore, expert guidance from youth and caregivers who have participated in treatment services is crucial. Ten individuals will be recruited for membership in the advisory. For sustainability and continued development of community-based intervention resources, we will conduct two learning collaboratives open to child/youth-serving organizations throughout Alabama and offer additional training opportunities.