This report presents the results of a study conducted in response to a legislative mandate articulated in Section 5(n) of House Bill 168 of the 1999 Session of the North Carolina General Assembly. The mandate instructed the Division of Social Services to conduct a scientifically rigorous evaluation of the effectiveness of Intensive Family Preservation Services on the child welfare population (excluding mental health and juvenile justice programs), employing treatment and non-treatment (control) groups. It also called for the use of a standardized assessment of imminent risk and clear criteria for placement. The bill was introduced in response to questions raised by legislative analysts with respect to the effectiveness of Intensive Family Preservation Services in North Carolina. The questions arose in light of studies conducted elsewhere over the past decade indicating that IFPS is ineffective in preventing the out-of-home placement of children at high risk of placement prior to services. In light of the existing literature it is appropriate that North Carolina examine its own IFPS program. (From the reports introduction.)
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