At Youth and Families Empowerment Services, we work to keep the youth safe and to keep families together. Through Multisystemic Therapy, as well as other mental and behavioral health interventions, we strive to help children, teens, and families succeed.
Multisystemic Therapy
Youth and Families Empowerment Services mainly offers Multisystemic Therapy (MST), a researched-based, family-focused treatment program for troubled, at-risk youth.
Our MST Program includes four months of almost daily support by highly trained professionals using a structured system that is goal-oriented and family-focused. The program is based on a model developed and researched by the MST Institute that is proven successful in reducing negative behaviors among teens. MST is an intensive family- and community-based treatment program designed to make positive changes in the various social systems (home, school, community, peer relations) that contribute to the troubled, serious antisocial behaviors of children and teens who are at risk for out-of-home placement.
How Does It Work?
MST is provided in the community and in the home. Each family in the program is assigned a trained MST therapist who works with only four to six families at a time. MST therapists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; providing services in the home, school, neighborhood and community. MST uses a team approach and therapists are diverse in age, gender, and cultural background. All have completed intensive training in MST therapy. Each team of four therapists is led by a supervisor, and therapists provide backup and coverage for each other, ensuring that there is always someone available for a family in need.
YFES is a network partner agency with MST Services, Inc. and meets the requirements of this evidence-based model.
Who Can Benefit?
MST is effective in helping families with youth ages 12 to 17 who demonstrate chronic, violent, delinquent behavior, and/or serious emotional problems. It is designed to prevent youth’s behavior from getting to the point where they need to be removed from their home.
The program also provides support services for youth returning to the community from incarceration or other placement with the goal of keeping them safely in the community. Youth who can benefit from MST typically have the following kinds of behaviors:
- Violent behavior causing injury
- Crimes against person (e.g., robbery, theft)
- Crimes against property
- Drug abuse or dependency
- Status offending (e.g., curfew violation, underage drinking)
- Non-compliance with family rules and expectations
- Multiple suspensions for problem behavior
Other Services Offered
We also offer the following services:
Family Therapy
Building Hope. Changing Lives.
At Youth and Families Empowerment Services, it is our goal to help and empower youth and families to make positive changes and to secure a good future for members of the community. We are here to change lives, one child and family at a time.
Talk to an Expert
To talk to an expert, contact 318-357-0018. For a comprehensive evaluation of your needs, we invite you to Schedule an Assessment at your earliest convenience.