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IFPS Survey Information PDF Print E-mail
The National Family Preservation Network (NFPN) is conducting research on Intensive Family Preservation Services (IFPS) this year. One of our goals is to complete a nationwide survey of IFPS, and I have previously requested your assistance in identifying key respondents in each state. Although the survey is not yet fully completed, I want to share some preliminary information and also request further assistance. Many thanks to all of you who provided contact information for key respondents and special thanks to the respondents who completed the survey.
Thus far, 23 state child welfare agencies report providing IFPS. Most of the states that provide IFPS also provide Intensive Family Reunification Services (IFRS) and use the same model for both programs. In 2003, NFPN developed a Protocol for IFPS that included program standards. These standards were based, to the greatest extent possible, on research available at that time and subsequent research has provided additional support.

The following are the standards that are being met by a large portion of the states reporting thus far (75% or higher):
  • Written program standards for IFPS
  • IFPS program serves only those children at imminent risk of placement
  • Families have access to the worker 24/7
  • Workers meet routinely with families on evenings and weekends
  • A single worker provides the IFPS services with team back up
  • Workers receive supervision and case consultation
  • Mandatory training is required for IFPS workers
  • Concrete service dollars (emergency assistance) are available for families
States are experiencing challenges in meeting the following standards:
  • IFPS worker meets with the family within 24 hours of referral
  • Small caseloads of 2-4 families at a time
  • Intensive services are provided (5-20 hours a week)
  • Services are time-limited to 4-8 weeks total
  • A specific clinical model is part of the intervention with families
These last five standards represent the core of IFPS services: immediacy, intensity, brevity, and model for intervention.

The majority of reporting states do have a method for tracking standards to determine if the program is in compliance. The need for aftercare or step-down services following termination of IFPS is also being addressed by the majority of states. Finally, safety has always been the top priority of IFPS and only one state reported child deaths (over the past 5 years) due to abuse or neglect during the time that a family was receiving IFPS.

Later this year NFPN will provide a complete summary of IFPS nationwide. Meanwhile, we still need key respondents for a dozen states and D.C. Could you help us identify the key respondent for the following states (if you know whether or not the state offers IFPS on a statewide basis, let us know that too): Delaware; Hawaii; Maine; Massachusetts; Montana; New Mexico; New York; Pennsylvania; Ohio; Rhode Island; South Dakota; Virginia; Washington, D.C.

To provide this information, please contact me, Priscilla Martens, Executive Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

To read the IFPS Protocol, visit http://www.nfpn.org/preservation/protocol/
 
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