Multi-Systemic Therapy Program-Bergen County New Jersey

Family Guidance Bergen County Department of Human Services

County of Bergen

Department of Human Services

Division of Family Guidance

One Bergen County Plaza, 2nd Floor

Hackensack, NJ  07601

http://www.co.bergen.nj.us/familyguidance

(201) 336-7350

Fax: (201) 336-7370

Overview:

Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) is a goal-oriented, comprehensive treatment program designated to serve multi-problem youth in their community. MST is a home-based program that has been the focus of several major research studies and has demonstrated clinical and cost-effectiveness for youths with complex emotional, social and academic needs.

Caseloads of the therapists are small (4-6 families per therapist) and treatment in intensive, often including multiple contacts with the family in the home every week. The average length of treatment is from 2-5 months.

Who could benefit from MST?

MST helps youths with chronic behaviors as truancy, serious disobedience, aggressive behavior, running away and substance abuse.

Services:

*Assesses the youth in the context of his family, school and community.

*Seeks to understand the youth’s problems and the contributing factors.

*Focuses on helping parents build supportive social networks

*Empowers parents to address the needs of the youth

*Emphasizes long term change that families can maintain after the program

*Helps to reduce recidivism

Referrals

Who is eligible for MST?

Bergen County youths, from the ages of 13 to 17 1/2, who are referred by the Juvenile Family Court, Juvenile/Family Crisis Intervention Unit, parents, schools or service agencies.

What can I expect from my MST Therapist?

Any combination of the following:

*Family Therapy

*Individual sessions with parents

*Evaluation of the youth’s per network and development of alternative activities

*Consultant with schools

*Coordination of program with the court and other agencies

*Consultation in parenting issue

*Chemical dependency assessment and treatment planning

*Assistance available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

County of Bergen

Department of Human Services

Division of Family Guidance

Mission Statement

Bergen County’s Division of Family Guidance provides clinical, residential, educational, correctional, case management and monitoring services to at risk children, adolescents and families, particularly those who are otherwise unable to receive needed services.

The Family Guidance Vision:

The Division of Family Guidance is Bergen County’s resource for youth and families in need.

Values:

*Collaborative, Creative and Empirically Driven Programming

*Safe, Respectful, Dependable and Therapeutic Environments

*Development Appropriate Expectations

*Empowerment through Opportunity Community Safety

Multi-Systemic Therapy Program

One Bergen County Plaza, 2nd Floor

Hackensack, NJ  07601

Phone: (201) 336-7350

Fax: (201) 336-7370

Disclaimer: This information was taken directly from the Bergen County Department of Disability Services pamphlet and I give them full credit for it. Please call the numbers above for more information.