Intervention Programs

Aggression Replacement Training (ART)

ART provides youth with group training in social skills, anger control and moral reasoning. Youth who participate in the program are moderate to high-risk on the juvenile court risk assessment. The program is expected to improve the youth’s ability to deal with anger provoking situations. It is expected that the youth’s risk to recidivate will be reduced and that the youth’s skills and attitudes will be impacted. In 2001, one hundred youth participated in Aggression Replacement Training.

Functional Family Therapy (FFT)

FFT provides youth and families with an average of twelve sessions of family therapy. Youth who participate are moderate to high-risk on the juvenile court risk assessment. The therapy is intended to reduce negativity and blaming within the family and to increase the family’s hope that change can be accomplished. The therapy focuses on identifying obtainable goals for the family and developing a behavior change program. The therapy also encourages a generalization stage that helps the family find external support for ongoing change. The therapy expects to improve the family functioning and to change the youth’s attitudes and skills. In 2001, thirty youth and their families participated in Functional Family Therapy.