Integrated Family Assessment and Intervention Model: A Collaborative Approach to Support Multi-Challenged Families

Abstract

In this article we describe the Integrated Family Assessment and Intervention Model (IFAIM), a multi systemic, collaborative, strength-based, and family-focused in-home approach developed and implemented in Portugal. IFAIM is designed to assess and to support multi-challenged poor families, commonly known as multi-problem families, at psychosocial risk, with maltreated or neglected children. It integrates clinical, educational, social, community and forensic concerns, and practices under a systemic, narrative, and collaborative umbrella. IFAIM’s theoretical foundations and background, its main characteristics, stages of implementation, and research directions are described and a case illustration is presented.