To prevent continued child sexual abuse and increase community safety, the youth services institute (YSI) has been providing quality community-based treatment services to youth with sexual behavior…

The University of Alabama was awarded a $525,000 Project Grant from the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (CFDA 16.543 - Missing Children's Assistance) to provide community-based treatment services for youth with problematic sexual behaviors in four Alabama counties. The funding will enable the university's Youth Services Institute (YSI) to deliver teletherapy services, train local professionals, and engage a youth and caregiver advisory board to improve accessibility and responsiveness of community intervention resources. The project aims to prevent continued child sexual abuse and increase community safety by expanding the continuum of care for youth with sexual behavior problems, reaching at least 50 youth over the three-year award period from October 2024 to September 2027.

To prevent continued child sexual abuse and increase community safety, the youth services institute (YSI) has been providing quality community-based treatment services to youth with sexual behavior problems, partnering with local and state agencies for over 20 years. YSI is partnering with four counties in alabama: baldwin, clarke, choctaw, and washington, to provide direct problematic sexual behavior (PSB) services via teletherapy while working alongside partners developing PSB services at all levels of the continuum. Providing direct services is a necessary precursor to improving local capacity. Clinicians in ysis continuum of care program are trained in problematic sexual behavior-cognitive behavioral therapy and school-age and adolescent adaptations, allowing them to begin providing services immediately. The safety of the impacted child will be monitored by the county department of human resources and/or clinicians involved in their care. Caregivers of youth with PSB are required to participate in treatment. They anticipate serving at least 50 youth while providing intensive training to professionals in the community. At least one caregiver must be involved in the assessment and treatment process for each youth. YSI has an established model for expanding services and increasing local capacity for PSB services. This model includes ysis membership as part of the existing multidisciplinary child abuse review teams coordinated by the child advocacy center serving each area. However, local resources are only effective if they are accessible and meet the needs of alabama families. Therefore, expert guidance from youth and caregivers who have participated in treatment services is crucial. Ten individuals will be recruited for membership in the advisory. For sustainability and continued development of community-based intervention resources, we will conduct two learning collaboratives open to child/youth-serving organizations throughout alabama and offer additional training opportunities.