Chapin Hall

Chapin Hall began working with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in 2020 to plan for the implementation of services, interventions, and strategies to meet the federal requirements of the new and transformational Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). The FFPSA emphasizes prevention of family separation whenever possible through evidence-based prevention services, such as in-home parenting services, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and mental health supports. The FFPSA also aims to reduce reliance on congregate care settings and establish guidelines that ensure that children who require residential treatment receive quality, short-term support in accredited facilities.  

Chapin Hall supports DCFS in FFPSA efforts through:  

• The evaluation of the implementation of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), a prevention service aimed at addressing emotional and behavioral difficulties associated with traumatic life experiences. The initial qualitative study based on interviews and focus groups with child welfare caseworkers, TF-CBT providers, and TF-CBT administrators focused on the referral process, family engagement, and implementation facilitators and challenges.  

• The Home Visiting CQI process, which examines home visiting referral, enrollment, and engagement among  families receiving intact family services that are eligible for home visiting services.  A recent brief explores the experiences of child welfare caseworkers and home visitors connecting child welfare system-involved families with home visiting programs and delivering home visiting services to those families. 

• The CQI plan for Multisystemic Therapy (MST),  a treatment focused on offering intensive services to youth aged 12-17 who are experiencing antisocial and delinquent behaviors. The CQI plan focuses on monitoring early implementation measures of capacity and reach.  We also use a race equity lens to examine capacity and reach measures to answer questions such as “Are MST services equitably distributed to children and families by racial group across the state?”  

• The CQI plan for Motivational Interviewing (MI), a core client-centered approach intended to empower families to actively engage in case planning. MI is being implemented as a statewide casework practice, as well as a prevention service under FFPSA. Our policy brief outlines key implementation insights and recommendations for strengthening MI as a standard casework practice in Illinois child welfare services.  

In addition, Chapin Hall provides consultation and implementation support for the congregate care provisions of the FFPSA including a shift to Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTP) which require adherence to higher standards for residential programs.  Chapin Hall supports overall FFPSA planning efforts including contributing to its five-year plans, supporting the addition of other candidacy groups, and providing strategic guidance and the evidence base for additions to the prevention service array.  

For more information about Chapin Hall’s partnership with DCFS to support the FFPSA in Illinois, please contact Mary Sue Morsch.

Visit this page to explore all the other ways we collaborate with DCFS.