LUK crisis center, INC. (LUK) proposes to implement the personalized approach to healing (PATH) program in north central massachusetts

The LUK Crisis Center, Inc. was awarded a $972,406 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (CFDA 16.818 Children Exposed to Violence program). The grant will support the implementation of the Personalized Approach to Healing (PATH) program in North Central Massachusetts over a 36-month period. PATH provides prevention, intervention, and treatment services for youth under age 18 who have experienced or witnessed violence in their homes. Key program activities include: implementing evidence-based prevention curricula for 240 youth per year; providing intervention and individual/family treatment for at least 36 high-risk youth per year; and offering treatment groups for 32 youth and caregivers per year. All services are informed by positive youth development and trauma-informed care principles. As an experienced federal grantee, LUK Crisis Center, Inc. has a history of successfully delivering a wide range of youth and family services supported by federal grants.

PATH includes the full continuum of prevention, intervention, and treatment services for youth under age 18 who have experienced or witnessed violence within their homes (e.g., child abuse, domestic/intimate partner violence). These youth are at high risk of experiencing violence within their dating relationships. PATH intends to interrupt the multigenerational cycle of violence. With the support and guidance of a multidisciplinary planning team, PATH will support these youth and their non-offending caregivers to grow their developmental assets, reduce traumatic stress symptoms, establish a sense of safety, and prevent future violence and risky behaviors. Programactivities include implementing prevention curricula, providing intervention and support services for youth at high risk of dating violence, and offering treatment for children and youth who have been exposed to family violence. Evidence-based programs and practices will be used, including safe dates, unity circle, breakthrough parenting, and ARC grow. The programwill reach 240 youth with prevention curricula per year (720 total over the 36-month project period); at least 36 youth with intervention and individual/family treatment per year (108 total); and 32 youth and caregivers each per year with treatment groups (256 total). Youth and families will be involved throughout all program activities, including serving on the PATH planning team. All programactivities will be informed by positive youth development and trauma-informed care principles.