ABSTRACT

In this chapter, we describe the early identification and intervention stage of the violence and response continuum associated with the Culturally Integrative Family Safety Response (CIFSR) model (see Figure 4.1). These responses are aimed at identifying risk factors and intervening with families before situations escalate and require mandated service involvement. We present the CIFSR model as it operates in the early stages of supporting families in concert with broader system involvement. We discuss how the model works for supporting families when others have noticed risk factors but no reports have been made or action taken by mandated service providers such as the courts or child protection agencies. We also describe CIFSR early support and interventions for families who are already involved with mandated service providers. We identify early interventions when risk is reported but deemed to be minimal to moderate, as well as mandated interventions following a more critical incident such as an act of violence directed at another family member. This includes families working with programs or agencies prior to action on the part of child protection agencies to remove persons from the family home. In this chapter we present the principles and applications of the Four Aspects Screening Tool (FAST) and the Coordinated Organizational Response Team (CORT) for early interventions with families. The application of FAST and CORT approaches for more critical and complex family circumstances is described in Chapter 5.