The National Family Preservation Network (NFPN) supports the use of research-based assessment tools in working with families.

One such tool is the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale (NCFAS), developed by Dr. Ray Kirk at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, for use with Intensive Family Preservation Services (IFPS). In cooperation with NFPN, and with funding from the Packard Foundation, Dr. Kirk also developed an assessment tool for use with intensive services to reunify families, the NCFAS-R. Both tools are in the public domain; NFPN has offered training packages on the tools for the past three years.

Over 100 agencies nationwide and in Canada and Australia have purchased the NFPN training packages. While the tools were originally designed for intensive in-home services in the child welfare system, many agencies are now using the tools in different systems (juvenile justice, mental health) and with different programs (differential response and juvenile offender screening). NFPN is working with one agency, the San Mateo County Human Services Agency, to determine if an expanded version of the NCFAS can be used effectively with an integrated services model. Differential response workers in San Mateo County are currently testing the modified tool with families who are diverted from the child welfare system.

NFPN has received feedback from many of the agencies that have been using the tools and training packages for the past three years. The Fraser Ministry for Children in Canada reports positive results from using the NCFAS with differential response cases in their child welfare system. A program in Queensland, Australia, is successfully using the NCFAS with services to aboriginal families. Programs in Utah and Colorado have successfully used the NCFAS-R with their programs to reunite families. In addition, Dr. Kirk continues to conduct research on use of the tools with IFPS in North Carolina that further demonstrates their validity and reliability. The ongoing research shows that the tools are an excellent measure of family functioning which, in turn, is highly correlated with placement prevention (NCFAS) or reunification (NCFAS-R).

Due to widespread use of the tools and the need for improved data collection and analysis on their use, NFPN is developing an online database for the NCFAS and NCFAS-R. This database will allow agency staff to enter the scores online and quickly update them at various intervals and at case closure. Agency administrators can access any data and also receive reports on aggregate data. We are preparing to do a one-year pilot on the database beginning next month and are seeking agencies that would like to use an online system. The cost for using this system will be based on the number of forms generated with the minimum cost set at $25 per month per agency. Please respond immediately if you are interested in this service.

To view the NCFAS and NCFAS-R scale and definitions online, go to:
NCFAS - Family Preservation Assessment Tool
NCFAS-R - Family Reunification Assessment Tool

To obtain information on ordering training packages for the NCFAS and NCFAS-R, go to: http://www.nfpn.org/products/trainingpkg-pricequote.php

If you are interested in using the online database service, please e-mail Priscilla Martens, NFPN Executive Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone (888) 498-9047.