Family Integrity Program

Overview

The Family Integrity Program (FIP) is a community-based care lead agency contracted with the Department of Children and Families. Our mission is to work in partnership with the State of Florida and the local community to develop, implement and manage a highly effective, strength-based community-based system of care for abused and neglected children and their families. We provide different types of intervention, understanding that not one child or family is the same.

Our Services

Family Preservation 

The Family Preservation Program is a non-judicial case management program aimed at families with moderate to high risk of abuse and/or neglect of their children. The goal is to safely maintain children with their families without the need for court involvement. Families are referred by the Department of Children and Families and have the right to refuse services, in which case the family is returned to the Department of Children and Families. Services include but aren’t limited to: intense case management, in-home counseling, use of Flex Funds to assist with financial crises and on-site drug screening. Families are seen one to five times per week, as needed.

Dependency Case Management

Dependency Case Managers assist the families with case plan tasks that address reasons for removal. The Dependency Case Manager provides all necessary referrals for the parents, child and caregivers by linking them to the appropriate services. The Dependency Case Manager completes ongoing home visits at the child’s placement to ensure safety, well-being and permanency. The Dependency Case Manager attends all court hearings and provides written reports to the Court.

Independent Living 

Young adults who spend time in the care of the Department of Children and Families may qualify for additional benefits after turning 18 years of age. Extended Foster Care (EFC) and Post Secondary Education Services and Support (PESS) are two programs that provide young adults the support needed as they transition to adulthood. Specialized case managers assist young adults with application and maintaining eligibility to these programs.

Adoptions 

When children are unable to safely return to the custody of their parents, they may become legally available for adoption. Adoption Specialists work with families to complete requirements for adoption and answer questions regarding the process. For information on becoming an adoptive parent, contact Aimee Befort at (904) 209-6113 or visit AdoptFlorida.org.

Post Adoptions 

Post-Adoption services are available to help families meet the special needs of children adopted from the child welfare system. This service can be utilized by adoptive parents for short-term services to enhance safety or to promote continued permanency and well-being for adopted children. Please contact, Claudia Sheremeta, at (904) 209-6109 for more information.

Foster Home Licensing

The Foster Home Licensing Unit work together to recruit, initially license and then relicense individuals who wish to be traditional foster parents. Traditional foster parents are individuals who are interested in providing care to children in their community with whom they have no pre-existing relationship. The unit ensures that all candidates meet the licensing criteria established by the Florida Statute, Florida Department of Children and Families and the Family Integrity Program. Once the foster home is identified and licensed, the licensing unit will facilitate the placement of a child in the home to ensure that the child and the foster parents are compatible. Through the Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI), the licensing unit strives to give both the child and the foster parents the best experience possible. For information on becoming a Licensed Foster Home, please contact Sierra Guy, at (904) 209-6124.

Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP) 

The Guardianship Assistance Program allows for expanded benefits to families willing to provide Permanent Guardianship to children who are unable to return to the care of their parents or be adopted. Families must become licensed as Level 1 foster parents and meet eligibility criteria. GAP Specialists under our Kinship Department will work with families in meeting requirements and answer questions along the way.

409.988 F.S. Compliance

Pursuant to Florida Statute 409.988, the Family Integrity Program is posting the following organizational information. The Family Integrity Program is a community-based care lead agency contracted with the Department of Children and Families.

Financial

Budget (pdf)

Performance on Outcome Measures

Office of Child and Family Well-Being – Florida Department of Children and Families

Performance on outcome measures pursuant to Florida Statute 409.998 is provided for the previous 12 months. Click on the link below to view the monthly scorecard and children seen reports. These reports and associated data are compiled by Florida Department of Children & Families, Office of Child Welfare.

Percentage of Required Home Visits Completed

  • Family Integrity Program Percent of Home Visits Completed Every 30 days
    • FY 2023 Q2: 99.71%
    • FY 2023 Q3: 99.63%
    • FY 2023 Q4: 99.71%
    • FY 2024 Q1: 99.71%
    • FY 2024 Q2: 99.80%

Average Caseload of Case Managers – Filled Positions Only

As of: February 2024

  • Certified DCM – 12
  • DCM Trainee – 0
  • Total – 4.8

Total Number / Percentage of Case Managers with 25+ Cases in their Caseloads

As of: February 2024

  • Certified DCM – 0
  • DCM Trainee – 0
  • Total – 0

Turnover Rate for Case Managers & Case Management Supervisors

As of: February 2024

  • 18.2% for the previous quarter

Services

Resources