Intensive Placement Stabilization Program

Strengthening Relationships that Heal 

When a foster parent is struggling to care for a youth safely in their home, our Intensive Placement Stabilization (IPS) team provides comprehensive services to build trust and stability while maintaining the youth’s safety and well-being. IPS therapists work with families to build on their strengths and the strengths in their communities. Together, they develop customized plans that meet their short-term, individualized needs in all areas of family life. Plans may include home-based individual and family counseling, school advocacy, linkage to recreational programming, and more. These chosen interventions address the behavioral, emotional, and physical needs of the child, as well as other issues affecting the family.

The IPS therapist works with the entire treatment team – including the youth’s primary caseworker, school, and other therapeutic providers – to connect the family with community-based services and resources for long-term support and stability.

For Providers

We accept referrals to our Intensive Placement Stabilization Program from caseworkers at DCFS and Purchase of Service (POS) agencies. A referral is appropriate for IPS when circumstances arise that may threaten the current placement, such as a 14-­day notice, recent SASS assessment or hospitalization, when the child is on a waitlist for long-­term services, or when their needs cannot be met through the existing array of services. In addition, IPS can provide home-­based services when a youth steps down from a hospitalization or residential care, to support the entire family as the youth adjusts. Learn more here.

For referrals or additional information, contact Julia Walz at [email protected]