Brendan Dassey's long road of appeals is not over yet

The Netflix original series “Making a Murderer” captured the attention of America with the story of Brendan Dassey, a 17-year-old who was convicted in 2007 of first-degree murder, mutilation of a corpse, and second-degree sexual assault. The guilty verdict came in large part because of Dassey’s confession, which he recanted. He was sentenced by a Wisconsin jury to mandatory life in prison with a possibility of parole in 2048.

A documentary film about teens behind bars

The documentary, 'They Call Us Monsters,' is a rare glimpse into the lives of the most vulnerable of those residing in America’s system of mass incarceration—juveniles facing a bleak life in prison. These adolescents would not have been deemed adults in virtually any other setting. They are unable to purchase cigarettes, rent a car or even vote. Yet, they are held to an arbitrarily created standard of adult convictions. It is clear from the film there is no easy answer for what to do with adolescents who commit serious offenses.

He owned pistols at age 12, but with MST was able to get a fresh start

I’m a sucker for a great success story. Whether it is an athlete’s training that results in a fantastic win or listening to my neighbor’s story about beating cancer. I think it is my love of people conquering great odds that attracted me to the Multisystemic Therapy (MST) treatment model almost a dozen years ago. The process of change is fascinating, and it’s good to be a part of a program that helps families use the therapeutic process to create their own success stories.

Watch how they do it in the Netherlands...

The mission of Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN) is to maintain the family unit while keeping children safe from physical abuse and neglect. It also focuses on reducing the mental health difficulties that often affect these families—children and adults. But we can’t start the treatment if we can’t engage the families. If they won’t open the door—literally.

January is dedicated to bringing awareness to human trafficking and slavery

You’re a 14-year-old girl living in an impoverished country. You have always dreamed of getting an education. Suddenly, an opportunity of a lifetime comes your way to learn and study in America. This is just what you have hoped might happen. Your close relative has gone to America and has been very successful. She and her husband are medical professionals and show pictures of living in a beautiful home. They tell your parents if you come to live with them, you will be given all kinds of educational and economic opportunities. In return, all you have to do is help them care for their two young children. Sounds perfect, right?

Schoolyard fracases now felonies in Missouri

It’s about to get way worse in the Show Me State.

The first day of the New Year, the day that traditionally marks a bright new beginning, marked a dark new chapter in Missouri's history.

Imagine a school-yard scuffle, maybe a punch or two thrown, some rolling on the ground. 

2017 begins with new aspirations and goals

It’s that time of year when we think about all we’ve accomplished in 2016 as an organization and as individuals. And as the tradition has it, we look ahead, always optimistic that next year we will do more, dream bigger and deliver better results.

So as we at MST Services consider 2017, we have compiled a list of our top 10 New Year’s Resolutions.

A determined grandmother does whatever it takes to help her grandson succeed

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) therapists and supervisors engage all families and do whatever it takes to build a trusting relationship. They know how important it is to connect to families and their needs in a direct and efficient way from day one. This connection was made with a 68-year-old grandmother who referred to herself as "Guerrera,"—Spanish for warrior. 

Guerrera’s story is one of courage and strength. She fought against odds to regain her grandson from the grips of the local street gang. Sadly, the presence of criminal activity was not foreign to her. She was exposed to it when living in her native country of Colombia years before moving to New York City.

Judge Dorene Allen researched her options and decided to try MST

"You want to have children rehabilitate to the point that if they move next to you, your grandchildren will be safe." This is the simple, yet powerful advice Judge Dorene Allen, presiding probate and juvenile court judge for Midland County, Mich., has for people selecting programs for juveniles in the justice system. 

At one point, the services offered in her county were not meeting that standard. Judge Allen was not "satisfied spending time, energy and money for no results. That’s depressing to the judge and community."

EPISCenter responds to the growing opioid epidemic in the state of Pennsylvania

Imagine an 18-year-old former high-school football star, now a shell of his previous self. His decline started when a knee injury left him in a lot of pain. No one knew it, but he became addicted to the pills that were prescribed by his doctor to help him recover. He says he later started using heroin because it is cheaper and easier to get on his college campus than painkillers. 

Or consider the young teen who was suspended from school because she was found "under the influence of something." Later, her parents found out their daughter bought pills from one of her classmates who took the pills from his mother’s medicine cabinet.