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1. Multisystemic Therapy (MST)
Lee P. Ohnmacht, LCSW-C
Baltimore County MST Project Director
Baltimore County Bureau of Mental Health/
Core Service Agency
2. March 31, 2008 Delinquency Prevention & Diversion Services Task Force 2 What is “MST”? Community-based, family-driven treatment for antisocial/delinquent behavior
Focus is on “empowering” caregivers to solve current and future problems
MST “client” is the entire ecology of the youth - family, peers, school, neighborhood
Highly structured supervision and quality assurance processes are employed
3. March 31, 2008 Delinquency Prevention & Diversion Services Task Force 3 Who is eligible? (Baltimore County eligibility criteria) Youth must meet ALL the following:
Youth under formal DJS supervision (COMPACT eligible)
(However,at one time, youth with history of at least one arrest or an established pattern of delinquency were eligible)
Live with his/her family or a long-term foster family
Live in Baltimore County
Ages 11-17
IQ above 70
4. March 31, 2008 Delinquency Prevention & Diversion Services Task Force 4 Who is not eligible? Youth who have ANY of the following are NOT eligible:
Diagnosis of autism or PDD
In need of immediate hospitalization
Referred because of a sexual offense without other delinquent behaviors
5. March 31, 2008 Delinquency Prevention & Diversion Services Task Force 5 MST: Assumptions & Beliefs Children’s behavior is strongly influenced by their families, friends and communities (and vice versa)
Families are key to success
Families can live successfully without formal, mandated services
Change can occur quickly
Professional treatment providers should be accountable for achieving outcomes
Science/research can provide guidance
6. Ecological Model