Intercept

What is Intercept^®? 
Intercept, a program of Youth Villages, provided by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, is an evidence-based, comprehensive in-home service model with a versatile, broad scope that helps youth from birth to age 18 who are involved in child welfare, children’s mental health and/or juvenile justice systems. Intercept’s family intervention specialists meet children, parents, caregivers and other involved stakeholders at a critical crossroads in their lives to help reduce out-of-home placements and accelerate permanency. Since 2006, Intercept has helped tens of thousands of youth and families find their way to well-being. 

Who is eligible for Intercept?
 Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen is providing Intercept in East Brunswick and Cranford. Intercept serves children from birth to age 18 who have serious emotional or behavioral problems and/or who have experienced trauma, including abuse and neglect.

How does Intercept work?
Family intervention specialists work with four to five families at a time. The small caseloads allow specialists to bring intensity and focus to each family’s individual challenges. They work step-by-step with the family to identify goals and tailor services to meet their unique needs. Specialists typically meet with each family three times per week at locations and times that are convenient for the family, and they are available 24/7 in case of an emergency. Specialists support every member of the family and interact with the community — including schools, courts, extended family and peer groups — to address challenges. 
Family intervention specialists work in teams with supportive supervision and participate in regular consultations with a licensed clinician who helps build and update treatment plans as the family’s skills develop and their needs change. In addition, specialists have access to GuideTree, a comprehensive database of drivers of behaviors and evidence-based interventions they use to provide individualized support to families.
 
 
Empowering parents and caregivers
Through Intercept, parents and caregivers learn parenting, behavior management, problem-solving, family functioning and coping skills and are supported as they connect with community resources. Intercept helps caregivers build skills to stabilize their family and keep their child safely in their home. 

Rigorous evaluations; proven impact
Intercept is rated “Well-Supported” by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse. The rating is based on rigorous evaluations from The Center for State Child Welfare Data at Chapin Hall that found Intercept reduced the odds of out-of-home placement by 53% following a maltreatment investigation and improved the odds of achieving permanency by 24%. 

Outcomes: 12 months post-discharge
Since 2006, Intercept has helped more than 70,000 children and families in 21 states. A year after they completed the program:

• 89% of youth are living at home or independently
• 98% are in school, graduated or working toward a GED
• 92% have no new legal involvement