This is a therapy program that provides intensive intervention for adolescents ages 12 to 17 with behavioral problems who are living in residential alternative care systems, or in foster families. The goal is to develop skills and behavioral guidelines for adolescents to live in a family environment while helping adult caregivers develop competencies for effective parenting in problematic situations.
This type of service is an alternative to placing adolescents in the closed correctional institutions of the juvenile justice system. Adult caregivers are encouraged to supervise adolescents and promote positive participation in school and the community.
The program includes training and support for adult caregivers, family therapy, adolescent therapy, and school support. Participation in the program lasts six to nine months. At the end, the adolescents return to their biological family’s home and continue to receive assistance from the program, usually for another year.