On Thanksgiving, Alessandra Longo takes a moment to reflect on her work

When I think about the things for which I’m thankful, one thing that immediately comes to mind is how thankful I am for the fulfilling work that I love. 

What follows exemplifies why I find my work with MST families so rewarding.

MST outcomes data remains strong in 2015

With 2016 drawing to a close, the Multisystemic Therapy (MST) 2015 outcome data is in. And the numbers look good. 

As a top tier program that works to keep at-risk juveniles out of trouble, at home and in school, achieving our goals is bigger than just our organization. Meeting our goals means helping children and families across the world live healthier, more productive lives.

With over a decade of experience, longtime MST therapist shares what he has learned

Looking back, I remember my very first day in Multisystemic Therapy (MST). To be exact, it was Feb. 5, 2001. As I sat in the MST 5-Day Orientation, feeling a bit overwhelmed, I found myself wondering "What is this MST all about?" and "What I have gotten myself into?" Spring forward 15-plus years, and I cannot imagine myself doing anything else. 

As I think about the families I have worked with, the teammates that I have had the privilege to work alongside, the support I received from my supervisors and experts, I realize there are valuable lessons that I have learned that keep me going every day. 

Multisystemic Therapy for emerging adults (MST-EA) is an adaptation of MST 

Pete was a 17-year-old with many problems. Some were of his own making. Others were forced on him. His mother was no longer around and his father was in the late stages of a terminal illness, contributing to Pete’s anxiety and depression. Pete had been trying to care for his father, but he missed too much school and was moved into foster care once this was reported to authorities. There, his behavior deteriorated. He refused to attend school and started breaking into cars. 

His foster caregiver couldn’t keep him at home and away from his ex-girlfriend, with whom he had a toxic, physically aggressive relationship. On top of this, he relied heavily on daily marijuana to cope with his depression and anxiety. 

Leaders in the field come together to demand the end of youth incarceration 

It may be that we look back on Oct. 21, 2016, as the day we finally made a public commitment to close youth prisons once and for all.

At a release event for the Future of Youth Justice report, the call for ending the use of juvenile prisons was loud and clear. While it’s true that it may not be tomorrow, next year or even this decade, this day marks a pivotal moment in the fight for juvenile justice. 

A first-time attendee and new Network Partner Director shares her experience

The MST Network Partner Conference (NPC) is an annual event that brings together more than 100 people from across the United States and the world. This year, 20 network partners were represented, with people coming from 14 states and 8 countries. 

As a brand new Network Partner Director at the Center for Effective Interventions at the University of Denver, this was my first NPC. Not quite the United Nations, but it was wonderful to see peers and learn from their experience. After only three months on the job, the opportunity to attend this conference at this time was greatly appreciated and needed.

To wrap up Youth Justice Awareness Month, we are sharing a family story from Maine. Our hope is that all young people will be given a chance to succeed like Mitch was.

Imagine you’re a parent of four young kids. When the oldest is 11, he starts acting out in ways you aren’t able to manage. Mitch has massive anger outbursts that he takes out on the furniture, walls and cabinets. He discounts all authority. He is angry and aggressive. If asked to do chores, he vehemently refuses and leaves the house for hours. When he sets his eyes on a new toy or electronic, even if it is one you can’t afford, he starts cussing, hitting things and scaring his siblings, so much so that you feel you have to give in. You start to give in so often that you are running through your savings. 

Research shows that grouping troubled teens together creates worse outcomes

In the world of public and school policy to deal with adolescents who engage in antisocial behavior (delinquency, substance abuse) one area that seldom receives the attention it deserves is the side effects of commonly used prevention and intervention strategies. 

Film highlights the dangers of incarcerating youth with adults 

Imagine your 17-year-old daughter got in a school fight with a 16-year-old classmate. Hair pulling, scratching. No weapons involved. What do you think is the appropriate consequence for such behavior? Suspension from school? Grounded? Not allowed to attend the prom or other school activities? What about community service? Restitution? Probation? Think that may be going too far for a youthful mistake? Well, depending on the state you live in, that 17-year-old could be charged with felony child abuse and incarcerated in an adult correctional facility. As a parent, you would have no control over that process.

Natural disasters are no match for MST-ers

Last week, as Hurricane Matthew devastated Haiti and moved up the southeastern coast of the US, I found it difficult to pull myself away from the news coverage. Families were left displaced, some were separated, most were shell-shocked. I couldn’t help but cross my fingers and hold my breath. I was immediately taken back to my own experience in the recent Louisiana floods. 

Left: The home of MST supervisor, Myisha Johnson. Right: A flooded gas station