Family Intensive Treatment Teams (FIT)
Program Description
FIT Teams provide family-focused services to families in the child welfare system when a parent has been diagnosed with a substance use disorder. These teams primarily focus on families with at least one child in the home under the age of 10. FIT Teams provide care in the office or where families live and are available 24/7.
The goal of FIT Teams is to develop a safe, nurturing, and stable living situation for children as quickly and responsibly as possible.
Program Eligibility
FIT Teams serve families where:
- The parent(s)/guardian(s) meets the criteria for a substance use disorder
- A child in the family has been determined to be “unsafe,” with priority given to families with children 0 to 10 years old
- If there is a child in out-of-home care, there must of permanency goal of reunification
- The eligible parent(s)/guardian(s) are willing to participate in the FIT program or the caregiver is court ordered to participate in FIT services
Where to find services
There are 28 FIT Teams providing services to families throughout the state. To find a team that serves your county, visit the Specialty Treatment Team Maps (Link to the Multidisciplinary Treatment Team Maps).
Treatment Team Staff
The FIT model uses a team of individuals to comprehensively address the needs of the families that includes:
- A Program Manager,
- Behavioral Health Clinician,
- Case Manager, and
- Certified Recovery Peer Specialist.
Services Offered
FIT Teams use an in-home/on-site approach to assist parents and caregivers in their recovery to help reduce out-of-home placements and decrease the time to reunification.
A few of the services offered by FIT Teams are described below:
Crisis Intervention
Crisis intervention is a short-term technique used to address an immediate mental health emergency, stabilize the individual in crisis, and create and implement a safe, appropriate plan for next steps and future treatment.
Care Coordination
Care coordination works to connect individuals with local services and resources to improve their mental well-being. These temporary services help participants and their families find supports in the community that can meet their needs. Care coordination connects systems including behavioral health, primary care, peer and natural supports, housing, education, vocation, and the justice systems.
Case Management
The primary case manager, along with the team, coordinates care, advocates on behalf of the participant, and provides access to a variety of services and supports, such as primary health care, basic needs such as housing and transportation, educational and employment services, and legal services.
Therapy
Clinicians provide and coordinate individual, group, and family therapy services. The type, frequency and location of therapy provided are based on individual needs and utilize empirically supported techniques for that individual and their symptoms and behaviors.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation is an evidence-based therapeutic intervention that provides information and support to patients and their loved ones about their mental health condition and treatment.FIT Teams provide participants with parenting interventions for child-parenting relationships and parenting skills, natural support development, including the family when appropriate, and relapse prevention skill development and engagement in the recovery community.
Recovery Peer Support Services
Recovery Peer Support Services are specialized therapeutic interactions conducted by self-identified current or former consumers of behavioral health services who are trained and certified to offer support and assistance in helping others in their recovery and community-integration process.
Trauma-Informed Treatment Services
Trauma affects everyone differently. Trauma-informed care involves an understanding of traumatic stress events and the common responses to trauma. Providers adopt a trauma-informed approach to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their clients through the duration of treatment.