ACS - GABI

Administration for Children's Services

Keeping Children Safe & Supporting Families


In Your HomeIn Your CommunityYour Child's Safety


Group Attached-Based Intervention (GABI)

The GABI program helps caregivers build strong bonds and promote health development of their little ones. Serving families with children under the age of four, who have experienced some difficult challenges that make parenting a very young child even harder. Difficulties like, housing instability, mental illness, domestic violence, and other difficult life circumstances.

The program provides clinician-facilitated play therapy, allowing parents to strengthen attachment with their children. The program begins with warm and friendly floor playtime which includes a welcome song for children and parents. Clinicians encourage caregivers to join their child in playtime and to reflect on their interaction, this coaching helps parents understand their children's needs better. The parent-only therapy session allows for caregivers to deepen insights with the clinician. The child-only play session offers a little break for parents and a chance to connect with other adults.

GABI can help families by giving them diapers, baby wipes or other things when needed. Overall, the GABI program aims to help families manage life's challenges, increase their social support network and improve parent-child relationships.

The research-informed therapeutic intervention was developed by Dr. Anne Murphy, Director of the Rose F. Kennedy Under Five Trauma Services Program at Montefiore Medical Center.

To learn more about the GABI program, watch this video or e-mail: DPS@acs.nyc.gov