Family-Based Bridging Program —
An Innovative Treatment Model that Bridges Residential and Community-Based Care

The Woodbourne Center Family-Based Bridging Program assigns a community-based therapist to work with a young man in residence at Woodbourne Center from start to finish, meeting with the boy and family on campus and with the family in their home. Woodbourne Center has partnered with local community mental health providers to offer these therapeutic services to the boys in our care.

The goals of the Bridging Program are not just traditional residential treatment goals compressed into a shorter length of stay. Bridging is focused on interrupting and redirecting the current cycle of behavior so a youth can more-quickly return home to a family better-equipped to manage crises.

Program components include short-term, highly-focused residential treatment; brief, solution-based, problem-focused care; skill development; intensive family therapy; effective crisis and safety planning; integrated case management and care coordination; and a high level of accountability. Long-term goals of the program center on family safety, crisis management, and long-term family stability.

Snapshot

Family-Based Bridging Program

Youth Served: Boys, ages 12-18

Treatment Needs: Woodbourne Family-Based Bridging serves families of young men who are at-risk, or could become at-risk, of being removed from the family on a long-term basis.

• A high level of family involvement
• Shorter-term residential length of stay
• Continuity of care

• Substantially reduced recidivism
• Improved post-discharge placement stability
• Decreased family disruption and time away from family, home, and community
• Significantly lower overall costs of treatment