SAVIO :: Where outcomes count!

Savio - Strengthening families since 1966

Specialized Child Protection Units

Multisystemic Therapy-Child Abuse and Neglect

Savio is a leading-edge agency dedicated to assisting children, adolescents and their families who are experiencing family conflict. The nonprofit organization, established in 1966, is noted for utilizing evidence-based treatments (EBTs) that demonstrate positive outcomes and sustained change after discharge. The EBTs offered through Savio are closely monitored by national supervisory groups to ensure fidelity to the models and quality service delivery.

Savio provides services throughout the Colorado Front Range, and mountain communities. The MST/CAN program provides services to private referrals, county and State Departments of Human Services in the states of Colorado.

The Savio MST program qualified for inclusion in the Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health under Home-Based Services (1999) because of its elaborate training, supervision and monitoring for treatment adherence. MST is one of the original Blueprints programs as identified by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence and the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

MultiSystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN) is an adaptation of the MST model. MST-CAN is a unique, goal-oriented, comprehensive treatment program designed to serve families with founded child abuse and neglect in their community. MST-CAN is the only family-focused and community-based treatment program that has:

been the focus of several major research studies, and
demonstrated clinical and cost effectiveness for youth with complex emotional, social, and academic needs.

MST-CAN was developed at the Family Services Research Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, and uses only treatment strategies that are supported by research.

Safety plans with the parent/caregiver to reduce likelihood of re-abuse.
Completes functional assessment of parent/caregivers in the context of their family, school, and community to ensure safety of the minor children from further abuse and /or neglect.
Seeks to understand the "fit" between the child abuse and neglect behaviors and the factors which contribute to them.
Focuses on helping parents build supportive social networks
Empowers parents to address the needs of the youth more effectively
Emphasizes long-term change that families can maintain after the program

therapists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
services are provided in the home, school, neighborhood and community
caseloads of therapists are small (4 families per therapist) and treatment is intensive, often including multiple contacts with family and other participants every week
length of treatment averages 6-8 months
therapists work in teams and provide coverage for each other's caseloads
each team has a supervisor and expert consultant who consult weekly on all cases

MST-CAN is an ecological model of evidenced based therapies that have been shown to reduce the need for out-of-home placement through reductions in parental symptoms of PTSD and trauma. It is designed to provide the skills and support for engaging neglectful and/or substance abusing parents in making long-standing changes in their parenting. Research studies in efficacy and effectiveness using this model have been shown to improve family functioning in these areas:

family relations
school performance
peer relations
neighborhood and community relations

Treatment interventions focus on key aspects of these areas in each youth's life. All interventions are designed in full collaboration with family members and key figures in each area of the child's life -- parents or legal guardians, school teachers and principals, etc.

MST-CAN is designed for families with complex, multi-system involvement who come to the attention of child protective services due to:

adult physical abuse and/or neglect of child ages 6-17 years
adult drug and alcohol problems
youth at risk of removal
family preservation /reunification is the goal

Any combination of the following services may be provided to the youth and family, as needed, within the CBS program:

family therapy
marital therapy
individual sessions with youth
individual sessions with parents
psychiatric services
chemical dependency assessment and treatment
evaluation of the youth's peer network and arranging alternative activities
consultation with schools
coordinating activities with school systems, court, and/or other social services agencies
arranging a psychiatric consultation when needed

The therapeutic approach must be empirically grounded and consistently implemented.
There must be quality control of therapist adherence to treatment standards.
The therapist is accountable for engaging the family in the process of change.
Families are an integral part of the treatment team and define the case goals.
Case plans must focus on the specific behaviors that created the abuse and/or neglect as compared to global, non-directional therapy.
Create initial success by first impacting behavior which promotes cognitive changes.
Connect families to resources and community agencies that can address needs and resolve barriers
Empower parents to fulfill their parental roles in order to permit continued success after discharge.

For more information contact: Katie McLaughlin, 303-225-4186