Multisystemic Therapy: Family Integrated Transitions (MST-FIT)

MST-FIT serves juveniles who are currently in placement and are at the highest risk of recidivism and in need of complex treatment. The model combines services delivered in the residential treatment setting, an approach called the Integrated Treatment Model (ITM), with MST-based aftercare to provide a smooth transition out of placement and back into the home.

With MST-FIT, the youth and family get a jump on making the transition from out-of-home placement to home. The goal is to lower recidivism, connect the family with community supports, remove a youth’s dependence on drugs and alcohol, promote pro-social behavior and effectively manage the child’s mental-health disorders. 

Video: How MST-FIT Helps Break the Cycle of Recidivism 

This short film describes the Family Integrated Transitions program developed by the University of Washington School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Division of Public Behavioral Health & Justice Policy to address the issue of recidivism among youthful offenders. The program recognizes that delinquent behavior is often the result of issues at home and aims to include entire families in a therapeutic process that will break the cycle of chronic multigenerational recidivism. 

Report: MST-FIT 

Download our report to learn more about:

- How MST-FIT helps youth and families transition after out-of-home placement

- What makes a youth at greater risk of re-arrest

- Preventing recidivism

- What makes MST-FIT so successful

The Integrated Treatment Model

Download this resource to learn more about the Integrated Treatment Model (ITM) used in MST-FIT treatment. ITM provides individual, group and milieu treatment for youth with diverse competencies and needs. 

MST-FIT Feasibility Study

How to Fund Juvenile Treatment Programs

 
The MST approach to putting juvenile offenders on the right path has been shown to be extremely effective in terms of its success rate, decrease in crime and keeping down costs. The question becomes how can communities and organizations pay for MST programs? Here are four steps that should be considered:

1. Assess whether your community needs an MST program.

2. Determine what funding is available.

3. Set up sustainable funding that will be in place for years.

4. Focus on long-term strategies.