Multisystemic Therapy and Neighborhood Partnerships: Reducing Adolescent Violence and Substance Abuse

Based on the proven technology of Multisystemic Therapy (MST), this unique book provides an exemplary approach to empowering communities to reduce youth violence and substance abuse and promote school success. Effective strategies for working with at-risk youth are embedded in a comprehensive framework that enlists the talents and resources of clinicians, human service professionals, neighborhood residents, community organizations, and outside stakeholders. Using an extended case example to illustrate all aspects of implementing MST on a neighborhood-wide scale, the volume covers empirical and clinical foundations, program planning, and strategies for building collaboration with key community players.

Cynthia Cupit Swenson is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Associate Director of the Family Services Research Center. She conducted National Institute of Mental Health-funded research that led to an adaptation of Multisystemic Therapy for child maltreatment, now being implemented in the U.S. and internationally.

Scott W. Henggeler, PhD, is retired Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina, where he was founding Director of the Family Services Research Center (FSRC) from 1992 to 2012. The mission of the FSRC is to develop, validate, and study the dissemination of clinically- and cost-effective mental health and substance abuse services for children with serious clinical problems and their families. Under Dr. Henggeler's leadership, the FSRC received the Annie E. Casey Families Count Award, GAINS Center National Achievement Award, and the Points of Light Foundation President’s Award in recognition of excellence in community service directed at solving community problems. Dr. Henggeler has received several research and education awards from national organizations, including being named one of "the twelve people who saved rehabilitation" by the American Society of Criminology. Dr. Henggeler has published 10 books and more than 280 journal articles and book chapters. He was Associate Editor of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology and has been on the editorial boards of more than 10 journals.

Ida S. Taylor is Director of Gethsemani Community Center in North Charleston, South Carolina. A leader in the Union Heights community for over 20 years, Mrs. Taylor is involved in multiple community and village service projects in North Charleston and Ghana. In 2006, she was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters degree by the Medical University of South Carolina.

Oliver W. Addison has been a leader in Union Heights for over 40 years and served on the neighborhood council for over 20 years. An advocate for children, he served on the Charleston County School Board for 8 years and served two different terms as the Board’s chair. In 2006, he was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters degree by the Medical University of South Carolina.