New Mexico Youth with Sexual Behavior Problems—Justice for Families Program

The Youth with Sexual Behavior Problems Program provides funding to support the development of effective treatment and supervision programs for youth with sexual behavior problems. This program is authorized by the Adam Walsh Child Protection Act, 42 U.S.C. 16901 and by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2017, Pub. L. No. 115-31.

The New Mexico Youth with Sexual Behavior Problems—Justice for Families Program will provide home-based family centered services using evidence-based models, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solutions Focused Therapy through a Trauma Informed Approach, to promote health/wellness to end the cycle of sexual violence by youth. The Justice for Families Program will utilize a phased approach in the provision of intervention and treatment services for youth with sexual behavior problems. During the initial phase (Clarification Phase) youth and their families will meet with a clinician at least twice per week. As youth progress in their treatment, sessions will occur less frequently in a step down process (once per week, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.). Follow-up services will be provided after program completion. Capacity Builders, Inc. will address the interfamilial and/or co-residential sexual misconduct by youth ages 9-14 while providing adjunctive support services to child victims and families who have been victimized.

The goals of the project are to 1) develop and implement a community-based intervention program for youth with sexual behavior problems aged 9-14 and their victims and non-offending family or household members that will reduce the number of youth who offend and reoffend (short and long term) by 30% when compared to baseline data; and 2) expand the intensive therapeutic services in New Mexico to reduce sexual harm for identified youth with sexual behavior problems aged 9-14 and their victims and non-offending family and/or household members to increase current capacity in San Juan County while expanding services to McKinley County, New Mexico. (CA/NCF)