What is IFC?  This is one of the most common questions that Home Finders are asked.  IFC stands for Intensive Foster Care.  The term “intensive” might sound a little scary, however it just means that IFC foster parents work with an agency such as JRI and get extra supports to make their foster parent experience a rewarding and successful one.

This extra support includes 24 hour, 7 day per week on-call support, so that you can always reach someone, even late at night, on holidays, or on weekends.  Foster parents are encouraged to call this service for emergencies or other matters when they need a bit of guidance.  IFC families are assigned a case manager, who comes to the home on a weekly basis.  Our case managers ensure that the child is getting all the necessary services and help they may need in order to be successful in the foster home.  Our case managers support the family with any challenges that they have with the child placed in their home.  IFC families also get support from a foster parent supervisor who comes to the home once per month to provide that extra guidance for parents and their families.

When you become an IFC foster parent with JRI, you are joining a community committed to the well-being and success of the whole family.  JRI’s IFC program offers weekly foster parent support groups, so parents can choose a group each month that is most convenient for their personal schedules.  Support groups offer an opportunity for foster parents to meet and talk with each other about any issues that they are facing.  These groups foster a sense of community and support amongst IFC parents.  JRI also has monthly trainings to help IFC parents learn about topics that impact the children that our families serve.  We also host family events such as ice skating, bowling, cook outs, and holiday events regularly to support a sense of community with our foster families and give everyone an opportunity to cut loose and have some fun.  In addition, as an IFC parent you receive a generous stipend to cover the cost of a child’s care.

JRI’s IFC program serves children of all ages, as young as newborn babies, all the way up to age 22.  IFC serves youth who have a variety of needs including children with intellectual or developmental disabilities, emotional or behavioral challenges, complex medical needs and those coming from hospitals and other more intensive residential settings.  JRI works collaboratively with foster parents, children, and families, and other health professionals to help each child achieve their goals and maintain stability in their placements.

To sum up, IFC is just foster care with more support to make your experience a successful one.  IFC parents get more support if they need it, even late at night or on weekends.  Children in IFC may have more needs but will also have more support in an IFC foster home.  Being part of an IFC agency such as JRI also means that you are part of a community committed to serving children in need.

If you or someone you know has been considering foster or pre-adoptive care, please contact us at 508-821-7774 or email at homefinder@jri.org.