About the program
Background
In 2020, the Indiana Department of Child Services started the Family Preservation Services program to serve families with a substantiated case of abuse or neglect.
Goals
The overall goals are to keep the family together when possible and help them care for youth safely in their homes through appropriate treatment and planning.
Eligibility
In-home Child in Need of Services (CHINS) and informal adjustment (IA) cases qualify for Family Preservation Services with the approval of the court.
Our services
Choices serves families with complex needs who are usually involved with multiple systems, such as child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health agencies.
We currently offer these Family Preservation Services through the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS): High Fidelity Wraparound, Motivational Interviewing, Multisystemic Therapy, Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Each of these services are evidence-based, which means they are heavily researched by experts and proven to be effective. See below for more information about each service.
High Fidelity Wraparound
Under Choices Family Preservation Services, High Fidelity Wraparound is a little different than our other care coordination or Wraparound services. DCS refers the entire family – not just a youth.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Choices considers the impact trauma has made on a youth’s mental health and how they learned to cope. We help each youth understand and address their individual needs through therapy. We also help their caregivers develop ways to effectively support them.
Choices’ Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is geared towards families with youth 6 to 18 years old. The youth we serve have histories of trauma and show symptoms related to trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and substance use.
Kaleidoscope Recovery Services
Pregnant women and mothers of young children face special challenges when seeking recovery from substance use disorders.
Kaleidoscope Recovery Services addresses those barriers by connecting them with community-based resources and treatment. Our goal is to help mothers of young children sustain recovery and strengthen their families.
Multisystemic Therapy
Multisystemic Therapy (MST) empowers youth ages 10-17 years old and their families to function responsibly in the long-term. It helps prevent further involvement with the juvenile justice system.
MST serves youth at risk of abuse, neglect, or placement outside the home because of their challenging behaviors. Caregivers also receive support
in developing parenting techniques to manage conflict and other challenges.
Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN)
Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN) is an intensive service for families who are entering the child welfare system. Choices clinicians contact the family immediately after a referral and visit their homes to identify their needs.
We are able to support families in many areas, including treatment for substance use disorders, addressing mental health challenges, and skills development. Our MST-CAN caseloads are small, which allows our staff to be available to each family as needed through each day.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing enhances and supports a person’s motivation to change their behavior. The therapist focuses on listening and refraining from judgment, and the individual creates their own plan for change.
Referrals
All Choices Family Preservation Services referrals come from DCS Family Case Managers (FCMs).
If you are an FCM, please email FamilyPresReferrals@ChoicesCCS.org or call 317.279.5581. The Choices Family Preservation Services intake specialist will review each referral, discuss the family’s needs, and share our availability.
Visit this link for more information about the DCS Family Preservation Services program.