Intensive Alternative Family Treatment (IAFT)
Intensive Alternative Family Treatment
What is Intensive Alternative Family Treatment?
At Alexander Youth Network, our Intensive Alternative Family Treatment (IAFT) program is an extension of our Therapeutic Foster Care Program that provides placement for children and young adults with significant behavioral and emotional challenges. This evidence-based, family-centered model supports your child’s success through a loving and therapeutic living environment.
Collaborative Care With Family and Caregivers
Parents in the IAFT program are trained and licensed to have success with children and handle high-risk scenarios. Alexander Youth Network also ensures that all parents in the program have access to specialized therapeutic services and training while providing services.
Unique features of the IAFT Program Include:
- Daily contact with the treatment parent
- Weekly contact with a team of professionals responsible for your child’s plan of care
- Psychiatric oversight and 24/7 crisis support
- One child per IAFT home at a time to emphasize your child’s individual needs
- Consistent behavioral intervention plans
- Treatment evaluations during treatment and post-treatment
Treating Behavioral Health Needs in a Community Setting
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare added Intensive Alternative Family Treatment (IAFT) to its program registry. IAFT, developed with support from The Duke Endowment, is a specialized, community-based therapeutic foster care service for children with high behavioral health needs requiring an out-of-home placement. Studies show that children who receive IAFT are 24% less likely to enter a psychiatric residential treatment facility.
Counties we serve: Alamance, Alexander, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cumberland, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Hamlet, Hoke, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rockingham, Rutherford, Scotland, Union, Wilkes
Contact: Interested in becoming a therapeutic foster parent? Find out more information by visiting our Foster Parent page.
To refer a child to our IAFT program, please contact our Intake Department at (855) 362-8470 or email intake@aynkids.org.
Ages: 3-21 years old
Treatment: Therapeutic Foster Care service that provides an advanced level of behavioral care in a family environment.
Length of Stay: The average length of treatment is one year.
Insurances: Contact the Intake Department for insurance-related questions at Intake@aynkids.org or by calling (855) 362-8470.
