Joseph j. Peters institute (jjpi) aims to address the full range of problematic sexual behavior (PSB) among youth in philadelphia, through the following means: supporting and expanding treatment for…

The Joseph J. Peters Institute (JJPI) has been awarded a $450,000 cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention under the Missing Children's Assistance federal grant program (CFDA 16.543). The funding will enable JJPI to address problematic sexual behavior among youth in Philadelphia through the following means:

• Expanding access to evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Problem Sexual Behavior (PSB-CBT), Multisystemic Therapy for Problem Sexual Behavior (MST-PSB), and adding a new Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Problem Sexual Behavior (TF-PSB-CBT) model.
• Providing services and support for victims of sexual abuse.
• Implementing a school screening program to enable early identification and referral of youth exhibiting problematic sexual behavior.
• Delivering training for schools on preventing, identifying, and responding to problematic sexual behavior.

The project will run from October 1, 2023 through August 31, 2026. In addition to this award, JJPI has previously received federal grants and sub-awards to address child sexual abuse prevention and trauma-informed services for youth.

Joseph j. Peters institute (jjpi) aims to address the full range of problematic sexual behavior (PSB) among youth in philadelphia, through the following means: supporting and expanding treatment for children with PSB and adolescents with illegal sexual behavior; supporting services for victims of sexual abuse; providing early screening, identification, and referral through jjpis school screening program (SSP) and providing training for schools on preventing, identifying, and responding to PSB. Jjpi will work closely with an existing multi-disciplinary team that was first convened in 2020 to coordinate and support the identification and treatment of children and adolescents with PSB in philadelphia. Jjpi plans to support existing evidence-based PSB treatments by adding new therapists and providing additional supervision for the following evidence-based treatments: cognitive behavior therapy for problem sexual behavioradolescent model (PSB-CBT-a); cognitive behavioral therapy for problem sexual behaviorschool-age model (PSB-CBT-s); and multisystemic therapy for problem sexual behavior (MST-PSB). In addition, jjpi proposes to add a new evidence-informed treatment model for PSB through the addition of trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy for problem sexual behavior (TF-PSB-CBT). TF-CBT is an existing model of trauma treatment offered by jjpi and a number of other providers in philadelphia. Our project will train additional clinicians to deliver TF-CBT to increase the availability of treatment for sexual abuse survivors and will also train existing and new clinicians to provide TF-PSB-CBT. The addition of TF-PSB-CBT will significantly add to the availability of treatment in two ways, 1) by providing treatment specifically for children presenting with PSB who are also survivors of sexual abuse or other traumas, and 2) by providing a model that can be used with children ages 4-6, since PSB-CBT-s is intended only for individuals ages 7-11. Jjpi has outlined the following outcomes for our project: 1) identify PSB and provide early intervention for PSB exhibited in the school setting through the school screening program (SSP) and 2) meet the following outcomes for youth receiving one of the three proposed treatments: a) prevent recurrence of sexually abusive behavior, b) decrease behavior problems, c) decrease youth criminal offending behaviors (non-sexual), d) improve family cohesion, adaptability and functioning, e) decrease youth association with a delinquent peer group; f) increase youth association with a pro-social peer group and developmentally appropriate activities for youth, g) improve youths academic success, and h) prevent out-of-home placement.