Expanding Multisystemic Therapy to Underserved Regions

Project Abstract

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is a community-based intervention targeting youth ages 12-17 who are involved or at high risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system. It is delivered by trained teams of therapists over the course of 3-5 months with multiple home visits per week. It has a proven track record of success at reducing youth recidivism.

This project, which was funded by Pay for Success , extended six teams of four MST therapists each to regions of the state where the service was previously unavailable, including Weld, Pueblo, Mesa, Adams, El Paso, Park, and Teller Counties. As the evaluator, the Colorado Lab verified that the program was administered with fidelity and estimated any reduction in youth recidivism and/or out-of-home placement via a matching model. New cases were added through March 2021 to allow for an 18-month follow-up period and time for data analysis prior to success payments being made in April 2023.