Intensive Family Preservation Services

Abstract

Family-based services have evolved over the past twenty years as a means of helping families in crisis avoid the removal of a child from the home. As a result of the Family Preservation Act of 1992, a number of preplacement prevention programs, designated as Intensive Family Preservation Services (IFPS) have been developed. The overall effectiveness of IFPS programs is now under scrutiny by various interested organizations. Few of the published studies were designed to employ rigorous, empirical research methods, and even fewer dircctly addressed families with adolescents. The purpose of the current paper is to identify problems associated with family preservation, to examine theoretical issues and assessment issues, summarize the available research, and explore implications that focus on prevention.