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.

Network Partner Conference offers chance to step back and see how far MST has come, and how far we have yet to go

A picture of a long and winding road. It resonated with attendees at the opening of the 2016 MST Network Partnership Conference when executive vice president and clinical director of MST Services, Lisa Reiter, showed one. Many participants sitting in the audience, myself included, have been a part of that long and winding journey that took Multisystemic Therapy from a university-based research treatment model into the real world.

Give a little, get a lot. Count down to 2017, with a daily act of kindness 

What does Mrs. Claus do when Santa is busy making toys for all good girls and boys? She runs a club to support women who are undergoing cancer treatment.

The Mrs. Claus Club started in Bentleyville, Pa., with the realization that the holidays can be a particularly difficult time for women with lives already filled with stress and anxiety from their diagnosis. Club members provide food baskets and other holiday cheer.

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.