With The Blueprints Conference wrapping up this week, we thought it would be a good time to reflect on the various evidence-based programs available for juveniles. Blueprints uses a rating scale of Promising, Model or Model+ to rank programs. Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is one of only two programs to be given the Model+ rating. Click here to read more about the rankings.

Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is rated a Model program by Blueprints. Both are effective in working with youth involved in the juvenile justice system.

Two different evidence-based programs each have unique pros

SHIELDS for Families has been using both Multisystemic Therapy (MST) and Functional Family Therapy (FFT) off and on since 2004. Some might ask why not one or the other? They both are evidence-based models and work with the whole family and the offender—with good results.

Before going further, it should be said that at my agency, SHIELDS, they are used quite differently. MST deals with youths who are repeat violent offenders having committed several serious crimes. Many can be characterized as hard core and will very likely end up incarcerated. FFT works with high-risk juveniles who might have committed lesser crimes.