An Examination of Treatment Fidelity in an Intensive Family Preservation Program

Most models of intensive family preservation services are based on providing flexible services to reduce risk and keep families together. This study examined 40 cases served by a public agency Family Preservation Unit in 1992-1993, in order to assess the provision of hard, soft and enabling services in the program and whether their provision matched the program model. The relationships of these services to program outcomes, in terms of child removal, new reports of abuse or neglect, and family gains in resources and strengths, are also assessed.