Program Description

Family Intervention Specialists, Georgia

Overview

Family Intervention Specialists (FIS), a not-for-profit organization, operates a diversion program that provides intensive family intervention services in Georgia. Services are funded primarily through Medicaid reimbursement. However, FIS also has funding from the Douglas County court (for those youth referred to the program by that court) and the regional mental health department. Any services not covered by these sources are funded through grants. The program serves youth 8–17 years of age with a known or suspected mental health or substance abuse disorder, for whom treatment at a lower level has been attempted (or seriously considered), and who are at risk of out-of-home placement or are currently in out-of-home placement with imminent reunification. To be eligible for the program, youth must reside with at least one competent adult and have a stable family living arrangement. FIS does not accept youth who are actively suicidal or homicidal.

The majority of referrals come from probation intake or the juvenile court. There is strong collaboration between FIS and the courts, which is fostered in part by frequent contact between program and justice staff. FIS staff accompany clients to court, complete progress reports for the court, and talk often with probation officers. The county employs specialized probation officers who are trained to identify mental health and substance abuse disorders and who screen all youth referred to them using a standardized tool. Upon referral to the program, all youth are administered the MAYSI-2 and the CAFAS. The Mauldin Pattern Assessment, which looks at the healthiness and strengths of a child and family, is administered to the youth and the youth’s primary caregiver at the beginning and end of program participation. The majority of services are provided directly by FIS, using Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT). The intervention provides families with the tools to decrease individual and family risk factors through focused interventions that improve problematic family relations and skill building therapies. The program also provides parenting skills training, tutoring, and anger management classes. Families are typically discharged from the program after 3–4 months. Planning for discharge begins seven weeks into the program. Aftercare services are available if needed, and program staff makes 3, 6 and 9 month follow-up phone calls with the family using a standardized outcome protocol to track family functioning.

BSFT is designated as a SAMHSA model program. As such, the program has demonstrated positive outcomes through controlled evaluations using comparison groups. The FIS program in particular collects outcomes through follow-up calls with families to track family functioning. FIS also works with the Department of Juvenile Justice to track recidivism.

Reference

Site visit to program on July 14, 2004

Program Contact

David Anthony, Clinical Director
Family Intervention Specialists, Inc.
4300 Peachtree Road, NE
Suite 1537
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: 404-663-8877