The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Multisystemic Therapy (MST) program has been rated by the CEBC in the areas of: Disruptive Behavior Treatment (Child & Adolescent), Substance Abuse Treatment (Adolescent) and Behavioral Management for Adolescents in Child Welfare.

• Child Welfare Outcomes: Permanency and Child/Family Well-Being
• Types of Maltreatment: Does not target any specific kind of maltreatment
• Target Population: Youth, 12 to 17 years old, with possible substance abuse issues who are at risk of out-of-home placement due to antisocial or delinquent behaviors and/or youth involved with the juvenile justice system. Some other restrictions exist, see the Essential Components section for more details.

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is an intensive family and community-based treatment for serious juvenile offenders with possible substance abuse issues and their families. The primary goals of MST are to decrease youth criminal behavior and out-of-home placements. Critical features of MST include: (a) integration of empirically based treatment approaches to address a comprehensive range of risk factors across family, peer, school, and community contexts; (b) promotion of behavior change in the youth's natural environment, with the overriding goal of empowering caregivers; and (c) rigorous quality assurance mechanisms that focus on achieving outcomes through maintaining treatment fidelity and developing strategies to overcome barriers to behavior change.