Family Preservation Network unveils Toolkit.(first things first)

The National Family Preservation Network has introduced the IFPS ToolKit, a comprehensive guide for establishing and strengthening Intensive Family Preservation Services. The year 2009 marks the 35th anniversary of the first Intensive Family Preservation Services program. Within two decades, IFPS programs were operating in 35 states with most of them following the original model known as HOMEBUILDERS.

NFPN was established in 1992 as the primary national voice for the preservation of families, and was equipped to provide the training and technical assistance necessary to implement quality IFPS programs nationwide. In support of NFPN's efforts, the Clark Foundation published an information packet on IFPS in 1994. NFPN updated the IFPS packet in 2003 and posted an electronic version. While both of these packets still contain useful information, in the past six years there has been an explosion of knowledge about IFPS as evidenced by the creation of a new assessment tool that pinpoints the effectiveness of services, new research that emphasizes model fidelity and demonstrates the effectiveness of IFPS with a broad variety of families and problems, establishment of new IFPS programs and the strengthening/expansion of existing programs, and additional proof of the outstanding safety record and cost-effectiveness of IFPS.

To share the most recent knowledge about IFPS, NFPN is now offering the IFPS ToolKit as a comprehensive resource guide for the development and maintenance of strong and effective IFPS services. The ToolKit includes definition and history of IFPS, benefits, standards, performance measures, federal funding sources, payment structure for contractors, latest research, step-down services, evaluation measures, success stories, and resources for IFPS. There is also information on IFPS as it applies to reunification services, including a proposed model for Intensive Family Reunification Services.

View the ToolKit online at www.nfpn. org/preservation/toolkit.

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