Programs / Violence Prevention / Functional Family Therapy (FFT)


Functional Family Therapy (FFT)

The Functional Family Therapy (FFT) Program provides a family-based nationally recognized intervention for at-risk youth and their families (FFT is recognized by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Programs (OJJDP) as an effective science-based intervention). Youth targeted are those ages 11-17 who have been arrested for a juvenile offense or are at-risk of entering the juvenile delinquency system. FFT is a culturally-sensitive, short-term intervention that has demonstrated a 25 - 60% reduction in recidivism. Through FFT, the therapist works with the identified youth and significant family members to build upon protective factors in the family system order to increase functioning of all family members; intervention is provided either in the home or in office and typically lasts an average of 12 sessions. FFT is implemented in three phases of treatment that include 1) engaging the family in order to promote change; 2) enhancing protective factors and reducing risk factors through specific behavior change intervention; and 3) providing the family with sustainability of behavior change interventions through generalizing changes that the family has made and adding community outreach for this sustainability. Outcome goals include improved communication skills, enhanced parenting skills. Services are provided throughout Miami-Dade County. Funding for this program is provided through the United Way, Department of Children and Families, and the Youth Crime Task Force of Miami-DadeCounty.

 

Contact: Program Supervisor

For referrals/information 305-685-0381, ext. 2046 & 2033

 

 

VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS – OVERTOWN & RICHMOND HEIGHTS

ICFH is implementing a comprehensive violence prevention strategy in both the Overtown and Richmond Heights neighborhoods of Miami-Dade County (with funding from The Children’s Trust). The Overtown program will be based out of Jose De Diego Middle School, and the Richmond Heights program will focus on Centennial Middle School, Miami South Ridge Senior High, and Richmond Heights Middle School. These youth violence prevention programs will include community-focused, evidence-based educational services for youth and their families that include social skills development and character building activities, and the delivery of targeted services for families who need additional support, reinforcement, skills building, and mental health services. The programs will use the following specific strategies with youth referred by school personnel: 1) Preventive educational services; 2) Family Support through the Family Associates Model; 3) Mental Health Services through Functional Family Therapy; and 4) Diversion through the community prevention and educational activities provided by Mahogany Youth Corporation.

Contact: Saskia Charles, LMHC

For referrals/information 305-685-0381, ext. 2037 (Overtown & Richmond Hts.)

 

 

YOUTH REENTRY PROGRAM

This is a program for Youth Offenders who are reentering the community after an incarceration. The program will be adapted from an existing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evidence-based program, Functional Family Therapy. The program integrates intensive FFT therapy and intensive case management services for youth offenders and their families in a twenty to twenty-four week program. Eligible participants will be those who have served at least six months in a DJJ residential facility, and who have a substance abuse history or are at-risk for future substance abuse. Services are provided through funding from SAMHSA, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

 

Contact: Melissa Braynon, LMHC

For referrals/information 305-685-0381, ext. 2038 & 2033