More information
Description
The aim of the project is to provide services to children and young people (aged 11-19) with serious behavioural problems through adapting the Multidimensional Family Therapy Programme (MDFT) in Lithuania thus ensuring a wider and more accessible network of behavioural correction tools and services in the country. MDFT is an evidence-based, integrated, comprehensive, family-oriented behavior change programme for children and young people with serious behavioral problems who have already committed criminal activity.
Helping children and young people struggling with serious behavioural problems that cannot be addressed in the general education environment is one of the biggest social challenges in Lithuania. This project focuses on children and young people whose behavior is socially unacceptable, aggressive, provocative, associated with a sudden change in emotions and low self-esteem. Until now, no programmes or measures that have proven successful in changing behavioral patterns have been available to these children and youngsters and their families in Lithuania.
What will be done while implementing the project?
The project will seek integrated solutions to help children and young people with serious behavioural problems expressed through actions that violate accepted behavioural norms, criminality, and inability to successfully adapt and participate in the community and society. During the implementation of the project three MDFT teams will be established to provide services for the target group using the methods of adapted programme. The project partner from Norway, the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) will support the project through sharing its experience in the MDFT implementation and its integration in to the social services system.
The target group that will directly benefit from the project: children and young people aged 11-19 with behavioural disorders and members of their families and immediate communities.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to test and adapt the Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) program in Lithuania. MDFT is a comprehensive, family-focused behavior change program designed for children and young people whose behavior significantly deviates from typical age, cultural, and ethical norms, and is considered socially unacceptable or delinquent. The target group for the program included 11-17-year-olds who were not attending school, displayed aggressive behavior, had conflictual communication, used substances, were prone to criminal behavior or faced other behavioral challenges, along with their families.
To test and adapt the Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) program in Lithuania, three MDFT teams were created in the Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda regions. A total of 22 therapists, including 6 coordinators and 16 specialists, were trained and licensed to work with young people and their families. A publicity campaign was conducted to raise awareness about MDFT, including three conferences, articles, regional publications, video clips and interviews with team members on radio, television and online platforms. Regular meetings were also held with representatives of various organisations to introduce MDFT''s services and discuss potential collaborations. Additionally, MDFT therapists enhanced their knowledge and gained valuable experience through educational visits to the Netherlands, Norway and Estonia. Throughout the project, there were regular supervisions and joint meetings with all Lithuanian MDFT teams, as well as with Lithuanian and international partners.
The MDFT program successfully helped 118 families achieve significant improvements in behavior. These included a reduction in the use of psychotropic substances, fewer instances of running away from home, fewer administrative offenses, less aggressive behavior and a decrease in self-harm cases. Children and young people also showed increased self-confidence, improved communication with their parents and better family relationships. In addition, there was an improvement in school attendance or changes in educational settings, and new recreational activities were introduced.
The MDFT program was widely presented to the public and professionals working in child and family welfare.
Summary of bilateral results
The Project Partner, the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (PP), shared valuable best practices with the project participants. This included their involvement in MDFT team meetings in Lithuania, attending three publicity conferences and participating in study visits to Norway, Estonia and the Netherlands. PP representatives helped deepen the knowledge of working with children displaying delinquent behavior. They introduced the child rights protection system in Norway and shared their experience with implementing family therapy programs abroad. Together with the MDFT teams, they worked on finding solutions to challenges in Lithuania.Throughout the project, strong relationships were built with PP and representatives from other institutions in Norway that work in child and family support. These connections will continue to be supported even after the project ends.