The National Family Preservation Network is pleased to announce the release of its study on the use of Intensive Family Preservation Services (IFPS), or services modeled after IFPS, with adoptive families. Dr. Marianne Berry from the University of Kansas conducted the research, and the project was funded by a grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. 

Key Findings

• IFPS, or a similar service, is commonly used by state child welfare agencies to provide post-adoptive services to families.
• While IFPS is commonly used, there are very little data available on the number of post-adoptive families receiving IFPS services, components of the IFPS services, or outcomes.
• An in-depth look at two states, Missouri and Illinois, indicates that both IFPS and similar but less intensive in-home services are very effective with post-adoptive families and that families are highly satisfied with the services provided.
• Specialized training for workers is helpful when providing services to post-adoptive families.
• There is some indication that IFPS may offer better outcomes for post-adopt families than other services that are offered; public child welfare agencies may want to consider expanding IFPS services to post-adoptive families.
• Racial disproportionality is a factor in post-adoptive services; past research has indicated that IFPS is more effective with families of color.
• Better state tracking systems and more research is needed to build the body of knowledge and best practice surrounding in-home services to post-adoptive families.

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