Promoting A Safer Future For Youth Who Engage In And Are Impacted By Sexually Problematic And Abusive Behaviors

Who We Are

For over 20 years, Family Transitions has provided Specialized Sexual Abuse Services (SSAS) that focus on the treatment and prevention of problematic sexual behaviors (PSB) in youth ages 5-18 years old. We also work with children and adolescents who have been harmed by sexually abusive behaviors, as well as with their families/caregivers to create safe environments for everyone in the home.

Family Transitions partners with the Onondaga County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to provide free support and treatment to youth and families we serve. Every family is connected to a case manager through the Preventive Unit at DCFS, or through other departments as deemed appropriate, to ensure youth and caregivers have access to the resources and tools they need.

Families connected through the Preventive Unit are provided with case planning services to assist with additional needs that can include, but are not limited to, accessing food stamps and temporary assistance, housing support, connection to additional medical providers, educational advocacy and other appropriate supports to ensure they have what they need to be successful.

Specialized Treatment

Our team of licensed therapists utilize evidence-based treatments that focus on risk-need-responsivity models, alongside trauma-informed care, to identify treatment goals for youth and their families. We engage in comprehensive assessments that look at the whole child and the environments that impact them. Our therapists stay up to date with ongoing research in the field of working with children and adolescents exhibiting problematic sexual behaviors, as well as non-sexual behaviors, to ensure best practice and interventions. We have found that the best outcomes are often reached when youth can remain in the community and have the support and involvement of at least one safe caregiver.

Our treatment phases include:

  • Intake and Customized Safety Planning with the Family, Youth and Schools (as needed)
  • Comprehensive Assessment to determine risks, needs and protective factors that inform treatment goals
  • Psychoeducation and Psychotherapy that meets the needs of both the youth and their families
  • Weekly treatment can involve individual, group, caregiver and family sessions as determined by the treatment plan. Treatment plans are made in collaboration with therapists, youth, caregivers and other involved providers.
  • Our final phase involves promoting a safer future where we assess ongoing recommendations, facilitate reunification when appropriate and aid the family in feeling confident in supporting the youth into adulthood.

Treatment timelines can range, on average, from 6 to 18 months depending on the nature of behaviors being addressed and developmental needs of the youth.

Current research indicates that youth who successfully complete a treatment program specific to problematic sexual behaviors (PSB) are significantly less likely to re-engage in those behaviors in the future.

For additional research and information regarding PSB and treatment, please explore the following organizations:

Additional Resources for Caregivers and Youth:

Sexual Development and Online Safety:

Sexual Behavior Risk Assessments

In addition to our specialized treatment program, we also offer comprehensive sexual risk behavior assessments. These assessments can be requested by both families and community providers and include, but are not limited to:

  • Psychosocial assessments with an in-depth family history
  • Conducting a battery of assessment tools to determine additional factors impacting a youth’s mental health and behaviors
  • Assessment of sexual risk and areas of need, including recommendations for treatment and supervision
  • Creating a holistic narrative of the youth and the contexts in which they reside

Risks assessments are provided for a fee that can be paid for either by the requesting provider/county or by individual families. Please contact the Family Transitions Program Manager (see below) for additional information.

How to Make a Referral

Referrals can be made a number of different ways. Here are a few examples:

  • Families who are already connected to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) can request that their case worker make a referral
  • Community providers, such as therapists and care managers, can make referrals to our program on behalf of clients. Our program manager will connect the family to DCFS as needed.
  • Youth residing outside Onondaga county can be referred to our program on a case-by-case basis by their county’s Department of Children and Family Services. Outside counties are able to create a contract for services with our program

Families can directly contact our program manager, Sara Bessette, LMHC-D at sbessette@elmcrest.org or call 315-463-9413 for further information and assistance with the referral process.

Our program aligns with Elmcrest’s belief that every child, regardless of age, gender or circumstance can reach their optimum potential, be pointed to a productive future and can contribute to the success of their community.

At Elmcrest Family Transitions, we believe every child deserves a healthy future.