Application and adaptation of intensive family preservation services to use for the reunification of foster children with their biological parents

Abstract

This report presents a comparison of (a) an application of intensive family preservation services (IFPS) to reunify children in out-of-home care placement with their biological families, with (b) the same service as originally used for preventing the need for such placements. The relative usage of specific services and service goals largely confirmed the essential continuation of the original intervention model, which appeared to be a synthesis of these three major practice approaches: Rogerian relationship-building techniques; behavioral interventions including parent skill-building, behavioral modification, and cognitive treatment; and the provision of concrete services. Some adaptations for reunification were identified, including more selective use of crisis techniques, more work with relationship-building and a longer treatment contracting process, a greater problem-solving focus, and slightly less emphasis on parent skills training. For the provision of concrete services, there was more emphasis on enabling services and transportation with less direct provision of tangible assistance. Adaptations in the use of the service model appear to be consistent with differences in the circumstances of reunification clients and may define critical ingredients for successful application of the IFPS technology to the field of reunification.