What is IFSS?
The Intensive Family Support Services Program (IFSS) provides comprehensive, individualized, family-centered, evidence-based and trauma-informed help and services that are intended to help a youth and family stabilize and return to their typical functioning. Our staff engage, empower, and strengthen families by partnering with them in order to improve family functioning and well-being. We help youth and their families to be stable and to thrive in their communities.
Who Qualifies?
The Intensive Family Support Services Program accepts referrals for youth through the age of 21 and their families who have Medicaid or a Medicaid MCO, those uninsured or underinsured in McLean County, and who have recently experienced a mental health or behavioral health crisis.
What Can Families Expect?
During the assessment and treatment planning portion of services, the assigned Intensive Family Support Specialist completes a mental health assessment and a treatment plan with the family. During this process, the IFSS worker engages the family, learns their family vision, hears their goals, learns about their strengths and needs, and assesses for trauma exposure. The IFSS worker offers various resources that are available in the community, and helps the family understand what community support, psycho-educational, and case management services we can partner with them on in their journey to reaching their goals.
How Does it Work?
IFSS is a voluntary, short term, intensive in-home program, and cases are usually open for about 90 days. Program benchmarks and outcomes include improving family functioning, reduction in parent stress, and improving child functioning, all measured through pre-post standardized assessments. All appointments occur in the family home and/or natural community settings as requested by the family, and services are prescribed at the intensity and frequency necessary to assist the family in meeting their goals.
What Types of Support might be Provided or Recommended by an IFSS Worker?
Service components from the following menu are prescribed in the treatment plan as needed in order to meet the unique needs of each youth and family.
• In-home therapeutic parent education, training, and coaching, in order to help parents or other caregivers that play an important role in the youth’s life, gain an understanding of the impacts of trauma.
• Mental health diagnoses and symptoms, and other identified areas as needed that will assist the family and other caregivers to further support the youth.
• Community support services that include skills training in order to return the child to baseline functioning.
• Assistance to parents with navigating the education system and/or consultation with education professionals regarding the youth’s needs in their school setting.
• Case management, resource linkage, and referral to community based services.
Questions on IFSS? Contact Stephanie Tanner at (309) 310-9867 or
