PATIENT PORTAL

Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS)
Providing Support and Education to families affected by Mental Illness

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The Intensive Family Support Services Program was created and designed as a source for educating and assisting families with a mentally ill member. Using a family centered approach, the program has 3 core functions, each of which offers services to families as needed for their unique situation.

The majority of adults with mental illness in Salem County currently reside with or near their families. The Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) program is designed to meet the needs of families with a mentally ill or mentally ill chemically abusing (MICA) adult member.

Recognizing how overwhelming this can be, the program focuses on the family and offers the following:

• Support, Education, Explanation, Strategies, and Information

• Family Groups

• Individual and/or family Sessions

• Respite Care

• Referral Services/Linkages

 

IFSS offers ongoing Psycho-Educational Programs. This 6 to 8 week course will provide families with mentally ill members basic facts about specific mental disorders and how the illness is likely to affect the family.

Intensive In-home Services incorporates a multi-faceted approach to provide intensive in-home services with the family or caregiver. The social worker utilizes outreach to maximize successful familiar interaction and knowledge in dealing with their ill family member..
 

Respite Care can be provided as a limited non-emergency plan to give the family members/caregiver a “break” from the stressors and issues which may arise in interacting with their ill family member.

This program is available to families residing in Salem County regardless of ability to pay or whether the ill member is involved with Healthcare Commons, Inc. Individuals interested in IFSS services should call (856)299-3200 for a free confidential telephone assessment and referral .