By QINA LIU
qliu@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1613

Marie Andersen-Strait is a proponent of evidence-based practices, which she describes as programs proven to work.

The Multisystemic Therapy program at Catholic Charities of Buffalo is a perfect example, she said. And she should know - as program manager, she has seen it work countless times.

The cases of 361 youths were closed successfully in 2010, with 91 percent living at home; 89 percent in school and/or working; and 91 percent with no new arrests upon discharge. The program worked with 388 area families that year.

"It is an evidence-based practice, so we really look at the ongoing research around delinquency and what is helpful in targeting that," Andersen-Strait said.

The goal is to help youths break out of the cycle of criminal behavior. They do that by approaching families, schools, neighbors, probation officers and other members of the community in order to ensure a solid support system for children.

"These type of families are struggling just because they are in crisis," she said.

"I have not met one family that enjoys a youth struggling and not being successful, and that does take a lot of added time on caregivers and the whole family," she added.

Some of the issues that youths struggle with are aggression, drug use, running away, high family conflict, participating in illegal activities or difficulty in respecting rules. According to Anderson-Strait, a typical client is between the ages of 12 and 17 and runs the risk of being placed either in jail, formal placement or detention because of their behavior or for foster care.

The MST program has a team of 40 therapists and supervisors serving Allegany, Cattaraugus, Erie and Niagara counties. Although most counties require a connection with the Department of Social Services or juvenile delinquency or probation teams, anyone can call for services in Niagara County.

"We are a program that's available 24 hours a day to serve them, so either on call or meeting with them, we're pretty flexible," she said.

On average, therapists meet with troubled youths and family members for 90-minute sessions several times a week. They meet for three to six months.

"If mom or dad or aunt so-and-so are able to meet with us at 7 o'clock at night, we will do that," she said.

The Multisystemic Therapy program is a "one-stop shop," and treatments are customized to meet the needs of each child and their family, she added. t

"To support families in crisis, we are equipped to do multiple types of therapy. If a family needs family therapy, we will do that. If a couple requires couples therapy, we will do that. If they need school support, we will help with that."

That includes a new branch of the MST program called Contingency Management, which is only available in Erie County. Started in March, it serves 12 youths at a time and focuses on substance abuse.

"Again, it's all about relationships," said Anderson-Strait. "It's all about let's work together to help families be successful."