Addressing youth violence and legal system involvement requires long-standing community trust, strong partnerships, and proven interventions. These elements come together in Rhode Island through Functional Family Therapy–Gang (FFT-G). Functional Family Therapy–Gang (FFT-G) is an evidence-based accommodation of the Functional Family Therapy model from FFT LLC designed for adolescents at risk of gang involvement and serious violence.
For more than 150 years, Child & Family has been a cornerstone of support for Rhode Island’s most vulnerable youth and families. Building on its long history of community partnerships with the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF), Family Court, schools, and local organizations, the agency launched Functional Family Therapy Gang (FFT-G) in 2023 to address the unique needs of adolescents at risk of gang involvement. Providence, along with other Rhode Island urban centers, faces persistent challenges with youth violence and legal system involvement. Recognizing this, Child & Family worked closely with FFT, LLC, probation officers, police, schools, and community leaders to promote a program that not only delivers evidence-based therapy but also builds trust and credibility where it matters most, on the ground, in neighborhoods, and in the lives of families. Since its launch, FFTG has served over 40 families, the majority of whom were referred through DCYF, with youth often facing multiple legal charges and complex family dynamics.
Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is recognized nationally as an evidence-based intervention for adolescents with behavioral concerns, widely implemented in communities across the US and internationally since the 1990s, and proven effective in reducing delinquency. To address the lack of research on gang-involved youth, FFT was accommodated to meet the needs of youth in communities where violence and gang influence are prevalent. The FFT-G accommodation was tested in a randomized trial, demonstrating improved crime outcomes, lower recidivism rates, and cost savings compared to usual treatment, with ongoing trials refining the model.
Through specialized training, experienced FFT therapists receive specialized instruction on and model application of gang-related risk and protective factors, as well as community context from local experts. This enables therapists to engage youth and families effectively and build trust and credibility, both of which are critical for successful implementation with targeted high-risk populations. Ongoing support and training, coupled with targeted community partner relationships strengthens the impact on young people and families.
The results so far are promising. Engagement has been remarkably strong, with 100% of referred families attending at least one session and nearly two-thirds completing services. Families report significant improvements in communication, supervision, and conflict reduction.
Key FFT-G Outcomes:
Beyond the numbers, FFT-G has established itself as a trusted presence in the community through outreach events, partnerships, and informal activities. By combining clinical fidelity with grassroots connection, Child & Family’s FFTG program is proving that meaningful change happens when therapy is matched to culture, context, and community.
The program’s success is rooted in strong stakeholder collaboration and community embeddedness. Ongoing grassroots outreach efforts, including basketball games, food drives, back-to-school events, and post-violence cookouts, have helped build trust and visibility for the program. Geomapping tools help track the locations of youth, peer dynamics, and community risk and protective factors, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of intervention strategies. Youth themselves describe FFT-G as “the smoothest program,” a reputation that boosts credibility and drives referrals. Early results indicate high engagement, strong outcomes, and growing community trust, all driven by cultural matching, trust-building, and an authentic community presence that extends beyond clinical sessions.
FFT-G is an add-on for existing FFT teams in good standing. This 12-month training program is designed to enhance therapists’ skills and confidence in working with violent, gang-involved, or at-risk youth and their families. It includes stakeholder engagement, ongoing monitoring, clinical training with group consultation, and on-site supervisor support, with intensive training delivered in the first six months and skill localization in the last six months. To determine whether FFT-G is a good fit for your FFT team and community, visit the FFT LLC Add-On Programs page or contact the FFT team directly.
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