Wrap Around Intensive Services for Families - Sexual Abuse Education, Prevention and Treatment.

WISE Families is a community-based program that provides assessment, treatment, education, prevention and support services to children and families who have either experienced child-on-child sexual abuse within their families or social network or have concerns regarding problematic sexual behavior.

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.

Age Groups	Children Adolescents Adults
Community Services	Family & Support Services Case Management Divorce & Co-Parenting Family Support LGBTQ LGBTQ Parenting Parenting & Caregiving Youth Groups
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health Family Conflict & Distress Sexual Abuse Sexual Inappropriate / Offending Teen Issues
Treatment Services	In-Community Services Professional Services / Wraparound Outpatient Services Assessment / Evaluation Counseling Counseling / Therapy, Family Treatment Settings Home In Community Office / Practice Telehealth
Payment Options	DCP&P Contracted Service Medicaid System of Care (CSOCI Medicaid / FlexFunds)
Areas Served	Bergen County Essex County

Last Updated: 11/25/24