The WISE program is a partnership of Children’s Aid and Family Services (CAFS) and Wynona’s House Child Advocacy Center in Newark. WISE is an evidence-based program that was developed by the University of Oklahoma- Health Sciences Center to treat youth with problematic sexual behaviors (PSB).

WISE works with youth between the ages of 7 and 18 and their caregivers to provide assessment, psychoeducation, treatment, and prevention. The PSB-CBT treatment for school aged youth 7-12 is about 18 weeks in length and for adolescents using the PSB-CBT-A curriculum treatment is about 1 year.  Group treatment and Family model (individual and family therapy) are different treatment options, as well as, telehealth for Family Model. In person treatment occurs in the CAFS South Orange office. 

In addition to addressing problematic sexual behaviors, WISE also addresses issues related to managing emotions, general behavioral issues, parent- child communication issues and relating.  In using the PSB-CBT evidenced based approach, WISE has found the treatment to be effective with a recidivism rate of less than 2 percent. WISE reduces reoccurrences of problematic behaviors in the children, helping to divert them from the juvenile justice system or placement into foster or residential care.

Eligibility	Complete a WISE referral form
Age Groups	Children Adolescents
Community Services	Family & Support Services Parenting & Caregiving Youth Groups
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health ADHD / ADD Anger Management Anxiety Behavioral Conduct Disorder Family Conflict & Distress Mental Health Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) Teen Issues Crisis / Safety Child Abuse / Neglect Crisis / Safety / Prevention
Treatment Services	In-Community Services Professional Services / Wraparound Outpatient Services Counseling / Therapy, Family Counseling / Therapy, Group Counseling / Therapy, Individual Social Skills Trauma Informed Therapy Treatment Settings Office / Practice Telehealth
Payment Options	DCP&P Contracted Service
Language Spoken	Spanish
Areas Served	Essex County State-Wide

Last Updated: 10/19/23