June 6, 2026
Saving the Family, part 2
When people hear about programs that serve youth involved in the juvenile justice system, many assume the benefits stop with the child receiving services.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
When we help a young person turn their life around before they enter a cycle of detention, incarceration, addiction, or dependence on government systems, the entire community benefits.
The real question is not whether taxpayers will pay.
The question is when.
Do we invest in families early, while parents still have the opportunity to intervene and lasting change is possible?
Or do we wait until problems become crises and pay far more through law enforcement, court costs, detention facilities, residential treatment, emergency services, and eventually the adult criminal justice system?
Study after study shows that Multisystemic Therapy (MST) works.
Research has consistently demonstrated significant reductions in repeat criminal behavior, incarceration, and out-of-home placements among high-risk youth. Long-term studies show an average reduction of 54 percent in out-of-home placements and a 42 percent reduction in long-term re-arrest rates.
Those are not just statistics.
Those numbers represent families staying together, young lives redirected, and communities becoming safer.
This is especially important in Idaho, where many youth entering the juvenile justice system are also struggling with mental health challenges and substance abuse. More than half of detained youth meet the criteria for significant mental health concerns.
The reality is simple: these needs do not disappear when services are unavailable.
They show up in our schools.
They show up in our hospitals and emergency rooms.
They show up in calls to law enforcement.
They show up in juvenile detention centers.
And for too many young people, they eventually show up in adult prisons.
The cost of doing nothing is never zero.
In fact, it is often the most expensive option.
What makes MST different is its focus on strengthening families before they reach a breaking point. Instead of immediately removing children from their homes whenever possible, MST equips parents and families with the tools they need to create lasting change and restore stability.
That means stronger families.
Safer communities.
Better outcomes for children.
And a more responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
As Idahoans, we believe strong families are the foundation of strong communities. We believe in personal responsibility, local solutions, and helping people become self-sufficient rather than dependent.
MST reflects those values.
The goal isn’t simply to improve a government statistic.
The goal is to change the trajectory of a young person’s life.
And when that happens, the benefits extend far beyond one child or one family.
Entire communities are stronger because of it.
In Part Three, we’ll discuss how Idahoans can help ensure more families have access to this life-changing service.
God bless,
Senator Christy Zito,
Idaho State Senate
District 8,
Protecting Freedom for Future Generations
