Personal, Familial, and Service-Related Predictors of Outcome in Intensive Family Preservation Services Treatment

Abstract

The use of Intensive Family Preservation services (IFPS) has increased dramatically in recent years, with most states having such programs in place to assist families involved in the child welfare system. While IFPS programs are diverse in their scope, nature, and service provision, most are home-based and employ a highly trained social services professionals. The present study examined the familial, personal, and service characteristics associated with treatment completion and re-referral in IFPS at a community agency. Data were archival (n = 2301) and were provided to the researchers by the agency itself. The present study represents an analysis of treatment-as-usual data, in an effort to determine patterns in service provision and family re-referral. A variety of family factors, such as family structure and the presence of adults in the household, as well as hours and types of services completed, predicted IFPS completion and re-referral. Increased provider-family contact was influential in positive outcomes, including re-referral. These findings suggest that increased provider-family contact is likely to improve the outcomes for families served by IFPS.