Wrap-Around Intensive Services for Families
The WISE program is a partnership of Children’s Aid and Family Services and Wynona’s House Child Advocacy center in Newark. WISE is an evidence-based program that was developed by Barbara Bonner and her colleagues at Oklahoma University’s Center for Child Abuse and Neglect to help families with children ages 8 – 15 who have problems with sexual boundaries. It provides assessment, education, treatment and prevention to both the parents and the children. Families are in treatment for approximately 12 – 16 weeks. Each family participates in group counseling based on a comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum. Individual, family and peer group sessions are held as well.
Most programs that address sexual behavior concerns are victim-focused. WISE is unique because it recognizes the need for healing for the entire family. WISE works with all members of the family to promote healthy relationships and ensure the family environment is safe for everyone. Families receive support to communicate more effectively with one another and identify underlying issues they need to address. WISE reduces the possibility of problematic behaviors in the children, helping to divert them from the juvenile justice system or placement into foster or residential care.
Wrap-Around Intensive Services for Families
The WISE program is a partnership of Children’s Aid and Family Services and Wynona’s House Child Advocacy center in Newark. WISE is an evidence-based program that was developed by Barbara Bonner and her colleagues at Oklahoma University’s Center for Child Abuse and Neglect to help families with children ages 8 – 15 who have problems with sexual boundaries. It provides assessment, education, treatment and prevention to both the parents and the children. Families are in treatment for approximately 12 – 16 weeks. Each family participates in group counseling based on a comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum. Individual, family and peer group sessions are held as well.
Most programs that address sexual behavior concerns are victim-focused. WISE is unique because it recognizes the need for healing for the entire family. WISE works with all members of the family to promote healthy relationships and ensure the family environment is safe for everyone. Families receive support to communicate more effectively with one another and identify underlying issues they need to address. WISE reduces the possibility of problematic behaviors in the children, helping to divert them from the juvenile justice system or placement into foster or residential care.
The success rate of the program is 98%.
“The Wrap-Around Intensive Services for Families program is one of the most effective programs that the agency delivers in terms of changing the direction and course of a child’s life. It has had a direct and powerful impact on the 200-plus families served. The boys are diverted from the juvenile justice system which can follow them for their lifetime, and their families are empowered and strengthened in understanding how to keep their children safe. We are proud of the success of the WISE program.” – Rose Zeltser, Senior Vice President
For more information on the WISE program please contact Melissa South (msouth@cafsnj.org)