YOS'' Multisystemic Family Therapy and Victim Services

The Youth with Sexual Behavior Problems (YSBP) Program provides funding to support the development of effective treatment programs for youth with sexual behavior problems and their child victims and provide intervention and supervision services for the offending youth. The models to be developed include a multidisciplinary approach and provide intervention and supervision services for youth (ages 10-14) with sexual behavior problems, their child victims and their families.

Cook County Illinois and Youth Outreach Services seek to reduce recidivism among pre and post-adjudicated youth for inappropriate sexual behavior, and provide treatment for victims by enhancing the intervention model. Based on recommendations in the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission’s report, “Improving Illinois’ Response to Sexual Offenses Committed by Youth”, Cook County’s model will integrate family-focused treatment, community supervision and victim support. Over two years, Youth Outreach Services (YOS) and Cook County’s multidisciplinary team will serve 40 interfamilial and/or co-residential child victims and youth offenders ages 10-14 as YOS deploys Multi-systemic Family Therapy (MST) with a Problem Sexual Behavior (PSB) adaptation. MST-PSB is an intensive, community-based program that addresses the sexual behaviors of juvenile offenders providing family interventions delivered at home. Further, YOS will work with Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center to treat victims, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Desired outcomes from integrating MST-PSB into the services include reductions in sexually inappropriate behavior, deviant sexual interests and out-of-home placements for the offenders. In order to strengthen the family unit and promote healing, outcomes for the victim will include improvements in emotional regulation and coping mechanisms through core resiliency efforts. Working with trained MST therapists through community safety plans, sessions will be 3-5 times per week, over 6-8 months, while victims’ treatment could last up to 17 months. Each family’s progress will be measured by the achievement of goals outlined in the customized intervention plans. CA/NCF.