APPLICATION AND ADAPTATION OF INTENSIVE FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES TO USE FOR THE REUNIFICATION OF FOSTER-CHILDREN WITH THEIR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS

This report presents a comparison of (a) an application of intensive f amily preservation services (IFPS) to reunify children in out-of-home care placement with their biological families, with (b) the same servi ce as originally used for preventing the need for such placements. The relative usage of specific services and service goals largely confirm ed the essential continuation of the original intervention model, whic h appeared to be a synthesis of these three major practice approaches: Rogerian relationship-building techniques; behavioral interventions i ncluding parent skill-building, behavioral modification, and cognitive treatment; and the provision of concrete services. Some adaptations f or reunification were identified, including more selective use of cris is techniques, more work with relationship-building and a longer treat ment contracting process, a greater problem-solving focus, and slightl y less emphasis on parent skills training. For the provision of concre te services, there was more emphasis on enabling services and transpor tation with less direct provision of tangible assistance. Adaptations in the use of the service model appear to be consistent with differenc es in the circumstances of reunification clients and may define critic al ingredients for successful application of the IFPS technology to th e field of reunification.