Project Description

The Family Integrated Transitions Project, Seattle, Washington

Overview

The Family Integrated Transitions Project (FIT) in Seattle, Washington, is a re-entry program specifically designed for juvenile offenders with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Eligible offenders are identified at intake in the state’s juvenile correctional facilities. The youth must be between the ages of 11 and 17 at the time of intake, have a substance use disorder, an Axis I disorder or currently be prescribed psychotropic medication or have demonstrated suicidal behaviors in the last 6 months, have 4 months remaining on their sentence and reside in the service area (Seattle).

The key goals of the program include:

• Lower the risk of re-offending
• Improve the youth’s educational level and vocational opportunities
• Connect youth with appropriate community-based services
• Achieve abstinence from use of controlled substances and alcohol
• Improve mental health and stability of youth
• Increase pro-social behavior
• Reduce criminal recidivism

For youth enrolled in the FIT program, services begin 2 months prior to release to ensure engagement and to strengthen community supports. The program emphasizes both family and community involvement and takes a strengths-based approach to treatment. To promote family and community involvement, services are provided in the youth’s home and community. In addition, FIT therapists are on call to respond to crises.

The treatment approach used with the FIT program encompasses an ecological, family-centered approach. The focus is on improving the psychosocial functioning of youth and promotes a parent’s capacity to monitor the youth. The emphasis is on working with the youth in the context of the youth’s natural environments of home, school, and community, modeled after Multi-Systemic Therapy. Specific interventions provided include dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and motivational enhancement (ME).

Reference

Aos, S. (2004) Washington State’s Family Integrated Transitions program for juvenile offenders: Outcome evaluation and benefit-cost analysis. Olympia, WA: Washington State Institute for Public Policy.

Program Contact

Washington State Department of
Social and Health Services
Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration
14th and Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 45045
Olympia, WA 98504-5045
Phone: 360-902-7804