ST. JOSEPH — After a year of being understaffed, the Multisystemic Therapy (MST) program of Berrien County is at full strength and heading into its 10th year strong, according to Supervisor Edie Zars.

Zars, a licensed master social worker, updated county commissioners about MST at Thursday’s board meeting.

The program, which aims to break the cycle of criminal behavior in the county through encouraging teenagers to stay at home and in school, was only able to service 26 clients this year due to limited staffing. The previous year 43 teens were involved in the program.

Since 2003, MST has had more than 240 cases, involving youth between the ages of 10 and 17. Some of the common offenses of the youth in the program include violent acts, theft, truancy, drug use and running away from home.

In fiscal year 2010-11, MST helped 85 percent of its clients stay at home, 93 percent in school or working and 82 percent avoid new arrests.

“We want 100 percent of kids in school because that’s the key to success,” Zars said.
MST’s services and staff of three full-time therapists are financed by Riverwood Center’s funding pool.

MST clinicians are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the clients and their families. They try to offer healthy alternatives, like sports and other extracurricular activities, to keep the youth out of trouble, Zars said.

While Zars is hopeful about even more success in the future of the program, she said a number of challenges lie ahead. The chief concerns are synthetic marijuana use, the impact of poverty causing youth to be desperate for resources and activities and adults competing for entry level jobs formerly held by young adults.